Germany condemns PKK terrorist attack in SE Turkey

BERLIN (AA) - Germany strongly condemned Friday the terrorist PKK group's deadly bomb attack in Turkey’s southeast.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed profound sorrow and sympathy for the victims of PKK's vehicle bomb attack in Diyarbakir province which martyred nine people including two police officers, and injured nearly 100 people.

"We condemn this act of terrorism in the strongest way," Steinmeier told a joint press conference with his British counterpart Boris Johnson in Berlin.

The minister reiterated support for Turkey's fight against terrorism.

"Nobody can question the right of Turkey to counter terrorism threat in a determined way," he said.

The attack followed the arrests earlier Friday of 12 lawmakers from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) for failing to answer court summons linked to a counter-terrorism investigation.

Among the 12 deputies, seven were remanded in custody, while three were released under judicial control. Two others are still being questioned.

Steinmeier reinforced support for Turkey’s efforts to investigate the foiled July 15 coup attempt and bring those responsible to justice, but also underlined that the proceedings should be in line with the rule of law.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson backed Steinmeier's remarks, saying many European countries failed at first to demonstrate a proper response against the "very violent" coup attempt.

Johnson also underlined the importance of Turkey for Europe.

"Turkey is critical for our security, for our struggle against terror, and of course critical for the conflict in Syria.