Iranian travellers among targets of armed attack in Turkey

While no group has taken responsibility for the attack, a Turkish website reports that the road had been blocked by the military branch of the PKk.

Zamaneh – IRNA reports that the attack took place on Friday August 7 in the Çaldıran district of Van in eastern Turkey. In the attack, which also involved another two vehicles, one individual was reportedly killed and three injured.

The Iranian consul in Erzerum has told IRNA that the identity and citizenship of the victim has not yet been confirmed. Hossein Ghassemi added that the other passengers have been transferred to the city of Van.

While no group has taken responsibility for the attack, a Turkish website reports that the road had been blocked by the military branch of the Kurdistan’s Workers Party (PKK) and the bus driver was not informed of it.

The Turkish army newspaper Daily Sabah reports that soldiers confronted the armed assailants at the scene and one soldier was killed.

Last week, two trains running from Iran to Turkey were hit by mine explosions that briefly disrupted their journey. Iran has suspended trains on that line following the two incidents.

Since the Turkish government began bombing PKK bases near the country’s borders with Iraq, tensions have increased in the region.