PKK linked separatists kill eight Iranian soldiers

"Six members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed in clashes with outlawed PEJAK separatists in the region of Sardasht," a town 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Iraqi border in the West Azarbaijan province, the Iran's Mehr News Agency reported.  Â

It said two soldiers serving as border guards were killed in the same region after stepping on mines "laid by the counter-revolutionaries". No further details were given.

The PEJAK operates from rear-bases in northeastern Iraq and makes sorties across the border into Iran. It has been involved in a series of clashes with Iranian security forces in recent years.

Turkey and Iran have been long fighting against the terrorist movements operated by both the outlawed PKK separatists and PEJAK, the PKK’s breakaway faction in Iran.

The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and most of the international community, including the EU and the U.S..

Photo: AP