Presence of PKK terrorists in Switzerland shows terror engulfs Europe like 'poison ivy': Turkish official

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - An attack by supporters of the PKK terror group at a children’s festival in Switzerland shows that terror engulfs Europe like "poison ivy," Turkiye's communications chief said on Monday.

Sharing Turkiye's Foreign Ministry statement on the incident, Fahrettin Altun stressed on Twitter that the attack also demonstrates the threat the PKK poses to Switzerland.

"The presence of the PKK in Switzerland has demonstrated once again that terrorism has engulfed Europe like poison ivy and that a multidimensional effort is necessary to counter this global threat," he said.

Reiterating that Turkiye carries out a determined and effective fight against terrorists and terrorism without discrimination, Altun underlined that Ankara also expects to see a strong struggle, practical cooperation, and sincere solidarity against global terrorism from other countries as well.

On Sunday, a group of 30 PKK supporters first verbally attacked Turkish families taking part in the International Children's Festival in Basel and then threw iron barriers that protected the celebration area at them, leaving at least six people wounded, who were taken to a hospital.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.