The embassy condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the soldiers.

"PKK terrorists should end their acts. We stand with Turkey in the fight against terrorism," the embassy said in a Twitter post.

According to local sources seven Turkish soldiers were killed and two others wounded in a PKK attack on Thursday in southeastern Batman province, Anadolu news agency reported.

In a statement, the Batman Governor’s Office said four soldiers were killed, five others wounded in the rural area of Gercus district.

The PKK militants detonated an improvised explosive as an armored military vehicle passed by.

Later, three soldiers succumbed to their wounds at the Batman Regional State Hospital, said a health officer, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Two wounded soldiers were undergoing treatment, the source added.

Reporter’s code: 50101