Major killed in PKK attack laid to rest in Ankara

A Turkish major, who was killed Sept. 26 in an attack by suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the eastern province of Tunceli, was laid to rest in Ankara on Sept. 27.

Gendarmerie Maj. Yavuz Sonat Güzel's body was brought to Ankara after an official ceremony held in the eastern province of Elaz??. Güzel's family had difficulty standing calm during the funeral prayer held at Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara on Sept. 27. 

The fallen soldier's wife, Burcu; 12-year-old daughter Sude; mother Emine; father Y?lmaz; as well as his sisters Zi?an and Fatma were present during the funeral. 

Deputy Prime Minister Yalç?n Akdo?an, Science and Technology Minister Fikri I??k, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, Chief of Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar and force commanders, Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy leader Bülent Tezcan and Ankara Gov. Mehmet K?l?çlar were also present during the funeral.

Güzel was badly wounded during clashes between PKK militants and security forces in the Yaprakl? hamlet, the Turkish General Staff stated. Güzel was taken to Elaz?? military hospital by helicopter before being transferred to F?rat University hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries despite all medical efforts. 

An air operation with the support of Cobra and Sikorsky helicopters was launched to apprehend the militants.
Güzel's death came after two soldiers and four civilians were killed during clashes in southeastern ??rnak province. 

Two soldiers were killed during a PKK attack on gendarmerie building and security directorate building in Beytü??ebap district of ??rnak on Sept. 26, ??rnak Governor's Office said in a statement. Four civilians, including an ambulance driver, were also killed...