Turkish soldier succumbs to wounds from explosion

ERZURUM / SANLIURFA, Turkey

After being injured in northern Syria, a Turkish soldier being treated at a hospital became a martyr on Tuesday, according to a security source.

Serving in Turkey’s cross-border anti-terror operation, Specialized Sgt. Rahmi Kaya was wounded on Sunday in an explosion in the town of Tal Abyad.

Kaya was brought to a hospital in the southeastern Sanliurfa province, where he succumbed to his wounds, said the source, who asked not to be identified due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Tal Abyad is within the area of Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring, launched on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

The operation was paused following two agreements with the U.S. and Russia allowing terrorists to withdraw from the planned terror-free zone.

However, Turkish soldiers continue cleanup operations in the area.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Sena Guler