Turkey: Diplomats convey condolences over 13 martyrs

By Havva Kara Aydin

ANKARA (AA) - Diplomatic missions in Turkey on Tuesday continued to convey their condolences after the terrorist group PKK martyred 13 Turkish citizens over the weekend in Gara, northern Iraq.

Stressing that Russia stands in solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism, the Russian Embassy to Turkey said on Twitter: “We share the pain of the Turkish people. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the martyrs.”

Denmark’s Ambassador to Turkey also said on Twitter that he is “deeply saddened by the 13 Turkish citizens, who lost their lives in northern Iraq” and extended his condolences to the victims’ families, loved ones, and the Turkish people.

The bodies of 13 Turkish civilians were found during Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Iraq, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Sunday.

He added that Turkish operations had all but cleared the region of the terror group.

More than 50 terror targets were destroyed during the campaign, including ammunition depots, caves, and bases, he said.

Three Turkish soldiers were martyred and three others injured in the land operation, noted Akar.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.