UPDATE - EU expresses concern over terror attacks in SE Turkey

ADDS US REACTION

By Hasan Esen

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Union expressed concerns over the PKK terrorist group's attack on a police station in southeastern Diyarbakir province that left nine people martyred Friday.

"The EU is very disquieted by the ongoing violence in the southeast over the last 12 months, which cannot continue," a written statement released by the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini’s office said.

The bloc expressed condolences to the families of the victims killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, adding that they considered the PKK as a terrorist organization.

"Significant action has been taken against the PKK in the European Union and its member states in the recent years and months," according to the statement.

The statement said the EU firmly believed that all violence and terrorist attacks must stop, arms must be laid down and a credible political process should start.

"The European Union is ready to support such a process," it added.

Similarly, the U.S. State Department also condemned the "indefensible" bombing, and offered its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

"We call on PKK to seize its senseless brutal attacks and we continue to stand by our friend and ally Turkey in his fight," agency spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing.

In addition to the nine martyrs, 100 others were injured in the vehicle bomb attack.

The blast struck a building used by riot police officers in Baglar, a district in the center of Diyarbakir province, at 7.53 a.m. local time (0453GMT), the regional governor’s office said in a statement.