Clash has been reported between HPG (People's Defense Forces) guerrillas and Turkish soldiers in a rural area in Ağrı province of North Kurdistan today.

The clash reportedly broke out after Turkish troops launched an operation before a tree planting event by civilians led by HDP and DBP in Yukarı Tütek village on the skirts of the Tendürek Mountain.

A group of civilians who left Diyadin district of Ağrı to join a tree planting event in Yukarı Tütek village early today were stopped and hindered by Turkish military.

According to DBP Diyadin district co-chair Nuri Şahin, who is also among the group to join the event, Turkish soldiers told them that the governor's office has banned access to the village on the grounds of security reasons due to clashes. Şahin who spoke to DIHA added that 4 military helicopters were continuously flying over the area, but that they heard no sounds of clashes.

Turkish General Staff has reported in a written statement that the clash broke out after fire was opened on Turkish soldiers who were despatched to the area by Ağrı Gendarmerie Command and upon an instruction by the Governor. The statement said that soldiers were sent there in line with intelligence reports that the people joining the event would “spread propaganda for PKK” and “put pressure on local people to vote for the candidates they themselves support”.

The General Staff also said that 4 soldiers were wounded in the clash that is still going on, adding that manned aerial vehicles, armed helicopters and reinforcing commando units have been despatched to the region.

The HPG has yet made no statement about the reports of clashes in the area.