7 PKK rebels killed in military operation in eastern Turkey

Seven rebels of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) were killed in a military operation in Agri province in eastern Turkey, an official statement said on Tuesday.

Turkish security forces conducted the operation as part of the fight against the PKK militants in Tendurek Mountain in Agri province on Sunday, killing seven PKK members in the region, said the statement issued by Agri Governor's Office.

Turkish Air Forces launched airstrikes against the positions of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in southeastern Turkey on late Monday and early Tuesday, a military statement said.

The Turkish Air Forces conducted military operations on some 17 PKK targets in Buzuldagi and Ikinyaka regions in Hakkari province, said the statement released by the Turkish Armed Forces.

Also on Tuesday, one soldier of the Turkish security forces was killed in an attack by the PKK militants in southeastern Turkey, the military said.

Tension between the PKK and Turkish security forces has been mounting following a tumultuous week that began with an Islamic State (IS) suicide bombing on July 20, which killed 32 and injured 104 activists in the town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province bordering Syria.

The People's Defense Forces (HPG), affiliated with the PKK, claimed responsibility for killing two police officers in retaliation to the Suruc bombing, suggesting that the policemen were linked to the IS.

Turkish security forces have detained over 1,300 individuals with suspected links to IS, PKK and leftist groups, according to a statement by the Turkish prime minister's office, as the military unleashed several airstrikes on PKK positions in northern Iraq.

Some 40,000 people have been killed since 1984, when the armed group launched its first attack.