They were ambushed in a country area near the town of Omerli in Mardin province.

Clashes between security forces and militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have surged since June 12 elections.

On July 16, 13 soldiers were killed in an ambush with PKK rebels in Diyarbakir province, the worst loss of life for the army since October 2008.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed some 45,000 lives.