A group of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members ambushed a military unit patrolling on a road in southeast Sirnak province's Beytussebab district, after turning back from an operation against the armed group, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The incident happened 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away of Beyttussebab town, the source said.

On June 16, 13 soldiers were killed in a clash 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.