LOC17:54
14:54 GMT
ISTANBUL, Oct 15 (KUNA) -- Two civilians were killed and 12 others injured when mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenades hit southern border regions Tuesday.
The rounds were fired by People's Protection Units (YPG), the Syrian arm of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The shells landed in Kiziltepe town near the Turkish-Syrian borders in Turkey's southeast Mardin provincey.
Turkey's official news agency Anadolu quoted a statement issued by Mardin province as saying that the "terrorist organizations" targeted civilians in the villages of Taslica and Otluk.
On the other hand, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that the number of those "neutralized" during the operation has risen to 595 militants of YPG and PKK -- indicating they were either killed, arrested or taken prisoner.
Last Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched Operation "Peace Spring" east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, where the Turkish Army and Syrian National Army joined forces to secure its borders by eliminating "terrorist elements" and ensuring safe return of Syrian refugees. (end)
wa.lr