29-03-2024 12:36 PM Jerusalem Timing

Cross-border Fire from Syria Kills Turk

Cross-border Fire from Syria Kills Turk

A Turkish soldier died and another was missing Tuesday following cross-border fire from ISIL-occupied territory in neighboring Syria

A Turkish soldier died and another was missing Tuesday following cross-border fire from ISIL-occupied territory in neighboring Syria, local officials said.

They told Reuters that a third soldier was lightly wounded in the incident in the southeastern province of Kilis, abutting territory controlled by the militants for months.

“One Turkish soldier is missing, and we’re trying to find out where he is,” an official told Reuters. The governor of Kilis, Suleyman Tapsiz, told journalists outside Kilis hospital that one soldier had died and another was unaccounted for.

Turkey has been a reluctant partner in the fight against ISIL, but in July stepped up its involvement, launching airstrikes and opening its air bases to the U.S.-led coalition.

The missing serviceman raised the specter of another possible hostage scenario involving Turkish citizens.