Kosovo president awards search, rescue team with commendation after relief operations in quake-hit Türkiye

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Kosovo's president awarded the volunteer Search and Rescue Association team with a commendation after participating in relief operations in southern Türkiye.

Vjosa Osmani received the six-member team in her office after it completed search and rescue efforts in Hatay province.

"The volunteers represented the solidarity and humanitarian spirit of the people of Kosovo,'' according to a statement.

She appreciated the contribution of the volunteers, emphasizing that they “duly represent the solidarity and humanitarian spirit of the people of Kosovo.”

Kosovo sent a unit of the Kosovo Security Force (FSK), consisting of 36 soldiers, to Türkiye to support the international humanitarian aid operation after the quakes stuck Feb. 6.

Another six-member team from the Kosovo Search and Rescue Association was sent Feb. 9 and three additional members joined Feb. 10.

The 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 11 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa and Elazig.

More than 13 million people have been affected.

Several countries in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, also felt the strong tremors that struck Türkiye in less than 10 hours.