PKK assault draws condemnation from European Union and NATO

A bloody attack perpetrated by the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on Friday against a military outpost in southeastern Turkey has drawn harsh reactions from the EU and NATO.The French presidency of the Council of the European Union on Saturday condemned the attack staged by PKK terrorists against a military outpost, Aktütün, in the Şemdinli district in the eastern province of Hakkari that killed 15 soldiers and wounded 21 others. A press release issued by the presidency said the EU was in complete solidarity with Turkish officials and offered condolences to the families and relatives of the slain soldiers. “The EU expresses its entire solidarity with the Turkish authorities and presents its condolences to the families and relatives of the victims. …

The EU is resolutely at the side of Turkey in its fight against the PKK, an organization on the European list of terrorist groups and entities,” the statement read. EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana also condemned the attack and said he shared Turkey’s grief. “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack against Turkish troops in the Southeast of Turkey in which at least 15 Turkish soldiers were killed. I convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish to express my sympathy and solidarity to the Turkish authorities,” he said.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also issued a press release condemning the attack and said NATO allies were in strong solidarity with Turkey in its fight against terrorism.