UPDATE - Turkey: 38 arrested over deadly attack on aid workers

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Ibrahim Halil Yakut

VAN, Turkey (AA) – Turkish security units on Friday arrested at least 38 suspects over alleged links to Thursday's deadly terror attack in the eastern province of Van.

The provincial governor's office in a statement said among the suspects were some officials from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

HDP's Ozalp district mayor and five other local officials were arrested over their suspected links to the deadly attack.

Two social workers delivering aid amid the coronavirus outbreak were killed in a terror attack on Thursday.

The victims were in Ozalp district when gunmen opened fire with rifles, also wounding a bystander.

According to the provincial governor's office, the vehicle carrying the assailants fled the scene.

An extensive security operation was launched in the region to capture the assailants shortly after the incident, said the communique.

The statement also noted that a number of raids were conducted at addresses in the district center and surrounding areas by the security teams and arrested 38 suspects over their alleged links to the incident.

"As the interrogation of suspects continues, security teams are conducting operations with no letup," the statement added.

In a statement on Thursday, the National Defense Ministry slammed the YPG/PKK terror group for the "treacherous" attack.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK --listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian branch.

*Writing by Merve Aydogan