US' Biden, Turkish PM vow counterterror cooperation

WASHINGTON (AA) – Vice President Joe Biden vowed to continue the U.S.’s counterterrorism assistance for Turkey during a Wednesday telephone call with Turkish Premier Binali Yildirim.

"The leaders pledged to continue the robust cooperation between the two countries on combatting terrorism”, according to the White House.

A car bomb attack in Istanbul’s Beyazit district targeted a police bus Tuesday, martyring six police officers and killing five civilians.

On Wednesday, a car bomb was detonated outside a police station in Midyat, a town in the southeastern province of Mardin, killing three civilians and martyring two police officers.

Biden strongly condemned the attacks during the call with Yildirim, according to the White House and, congratulated the newly-appointed prime minister on his post.

"The leaders also reaffirmed their strong support for efforts in Cyprus to reach an agreement that reunifies the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation," the White House added.