Clashes between HPG (People’s Defense Forces) guerrillas and Turkish soldiers in Bitlis are reported to be continuing since last Saturday.

The Turkish army operation in the rural area of the village of Hanelmalý begun following an explosion during the transit of a military vehicle on the Hizan-Tatvan way in the province of Bitlis.

Entrance and exit points have been controlled by soldiers in the villages of Hanelmalý (Xýzorkîn), Tokaçlý (Kurtîkan), Paþaelmalý (Taþvask), Çevre (Êz) in the province of Tatvan for the last four days. Villagers in the region are subjected to body and belongings search while entering or leaving their villages.

Ground works in the region is also reported to be continuing.

Seven soldiers were reported wounded in clashes and a large number of armed vehicles were sent to the region on 8 July.