Mavi Marmara victims commemorated in Turkey

ANKARA (AA) – About 200 people gathered Sunday outside Israel’s embassy in Turkey's capital to mark the sixth anniversary of the deadly attack on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara aid flotilla.

The humanitarian aid ship was attempting to lift the blockade of Gaza in 2010, when nine Turkish activists were killed after Israeli forces stormed the vessel. A tenth died in hospital four years later.

The Ankara Platform of Faith Freedom organized the commemoration ceremony with other NGOs, including Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).

During the ceremony, people prayed together, carried Palestinians flags and chanted slogans against Israel.

Soner Kartal, spokesman for the Ankara Platform, claimed the Mavi Marmara attack was not just aimed at the Turkish people or state, it was aimed at Muslims.

Relations between the two countries were seriously damaged in the aftermath of the incident.

Ankara demanded an apology as well as compensation for the families of those killed plus the removal of the blockade on Gaza.