Turkish private kills two other soldiers, commits suicide during guard on Syrian border: Army

ŞANLIURFA – Anadolu Agency

A Turkish soldier on guard on the Syrian border in the southeastern Şanlıurfa province killed two other soldiers before committing suicide early on Dec. 9, army sources have told daily Hürriyet.

“The incident is not a terror act, according to initial findings. The first information seems to show that a soldier became hysterical and killed two of his companions. The prosecution has started a judicial investigation,” military sources said.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also confirmed the incident was not caused by a terrorist attack, but rather a scene caused by psychological tension. “It was apparently an incident of insanity. Regardless of the reasons, all of our soldiers who lost their lives on duty are martyrs,” Davutoğlu told reporters on Dec. 9 after the incident.

The incident took place near the Ceylanpınar district where many civilians have been injured or killed by stray bullets from across the border in the past four years.

Fighting between the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Kurdish fighters was occurring across the border at the time of the incident.

In an earlier statement, Şanlıurfa Governor İzzettin Küçük had said the gunfire may have come from across the border.

Special forces and military troops have been dispatched to the area following the incident.