Turkish mosque vandalized in Netherlands

By Yasin Yagci

AMSTERDAM (AA) - A group of vandals attacked a Turkish mosque in southern Netherlands, local television channel RTV Rijnmond reported.

The station said at least 15 people attacked the mosque with iron bars and shattered the windows.

Two people were slightly injured during the attack Thursday. It was unclear if the injured included worshippers.

The mosque is operated by the Netherlands’ Turkish Federation.

Vedat Ozdal, a senior official with the association running the mosque, labeled the attack “cowardly” and urged the community to remain calm, saying it was the responsibility of the police and local municipality to find the attackers.

Piet Sleeking, deputy mayor of Dordrecht, where the mosque is located, also called on the community to remain calm.

Witnesses who spoke to the television station said the attackers were linked to the PKK terrorist organization, though it was unclear how that was known.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

The group resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state last July.