NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg: We Are Concerned About Kilis

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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has issued a statement as to attacks on Kilis.

21 people have lost their lives because of the rockets being launched almost every day.

“NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey. The alliance has taken [preventative] measures to strengthen Turkey's security and will continue to do so as long as necessary”, said Stoltenberg.

"I am concerned by the deterioration of the situation in Kilis and the shelling [by ISIS], which directly affects the security of Turkey. I deeply regret the losses of many Turkish nationals' lives in Kilis, and extend my condolences to the Turkish people and the families of the victims," he added.

Çavuşoğlu met with Stoltenberg

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has met Stoltenberg over threats against Turkey from Syria.

According to the news of Hürriyet daily, Çavuşoğlu spoke with Stoltenberg on the phone and discussed threats against Turkey from Syria.

Stoltenberg expressed his condolences to Çavuşoğlu for the ones killed in the attacks, and emphasized that the NATO stands in solidarity with Turkey.

21 people killed

Government Spokesperson Numan Kurtulmuş had announced that 46 rockets have been launched on Kilis, killing 17 as of January 18.

According to Hatay People's Assembly, 11 attacks launched on Kilis from areas in Syria controlled by Al Qaeda, ISIS and their allies. 17 people lost their lives, 62 other wounded.

Six of the deceased were citizens of Syria whereas 11 of them were citizens of Turkey.

As of that time, the death toll has risen to 21.

Municipality worker Mehmet Hanifi Sağlam (48) lost his life by the rocket fired on Kilis on April 12, 2016.

12 people wounded by the five Katyusha rockets dropping on Kilis on April 11.

Two rockets launched on Kilis from ISIS-held territory in Syrian on April 7, which left three wounded.

Rocket attacks were carried out on the city on April 7, 12, 13, 18, 19, 24, and 29, and May 1. (AS/TK)