AKP spokesperson accuses US of supporting terrorism

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The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson has criticized the US because of a State Department statement about the killings of 13 security personnel in Iraq's north.

"Those who know every move of the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party] like the palms of their hands make efforts to not name the killer when the PKK kills our citizens," Ömer Çelik said on Twitter late yesterday (February 15). "This attitude is not fighting but supporting terrorism."

Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar announced on Sunday that the PKK killed 13 "citizens" it held hostage in the Kurdistan region in Iraq during a military rescue operation.

The State Department said it condemned the killings "if reports of the death of Turkish civilians at the hands of the PKK were confirmed."

While it was later confirmed that 10 of the killed people were soldiers and police officers, senior government officials, including the president, lashed out at the US because of the statement, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

"What kind of a confirmation the US is expecting despite a statement by its NATO ally Turkey is a serious question mark," he wrote.

"This statement, which is the exact opposite of relations of an alliance, is a shameful approach.

"Turkey is in a relentless struggle with the PKK terrorist organization and all its arms and is expecting principled support from its allies.

"Those who cannot clearly condemn the PKK terrorist organization cannot talk about the fight against terrorism."

After reactions by Ankara, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu during a phone call that the US affirmed that the PKK was responsible for the killing the hostages. (EKN/VK)