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The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned Thursday's attack by PKK terrorists in Turkey that claimed lives of eight soldiers.
In a statement, Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, the secretary general of the OIC, said on Friday they fiercely condemned the terrorist attack targeting Turkish soldiers.
Al-Othaimeen offered condolences to the Turkish government, people and families of martyred soldiers.
He also wished quick recovery to the injured.
In addition to Al-Othaimeen, Iraqi Shia leader and National Wisdom Movement chief Ammar al-Hakim condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Turkey in a social media post.
On Thursday morning, PKK terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device planted on a road when a Turkish military vehicle was passing through the area, leaving eight soldiers martyred and another seriously injured.
In its 30-year campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including numerous women and children.
Residents of Batman in southeastern Turkey organized a march Friday to condemn a PKK terrorist attack in the province that martyred seven Turkish soldiers.A number of Turkish non-governmental organizations organized the protest, with participants chanting slogans like “Turks, Kurds are brothers” and “Hell to PKK.”The protestors carried a 100-meter-long (328-foot-long) Turkish flag during the march.Seven Turkish soldiers were martyred and two others wounded Thursday in a PKK terrorist attack in Batman, according to local sources.The terrorists detonated an improvised explosive as an armored military vehicle passed by.Video: Turks march to condemn terrorist attack in BatmanIn a statement, the Batman Governor’s Office said four soldiers were martyred and five others were wounded in the rural area of Gercus district.Later, three soldiers succumbed to their wounds at the Batman Regional State Hospital, said a health officer, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.Two wounded soldiers were undergoing treatment, the source added.An operation was launched in the area to nab the terrorists.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.Iraq condemns PKK attack in southeastern Turkey'Turkey will rid itself of PKK terrorists'US condemns terror attack that martyred seven Turkish soldiersSeven Turkish soldiers martyred in PKK terror attack
Turks march to condemn terrorist attack in Batman
Turkey will never stop fighting against terror and it is determined to continue its fight until the last terrorist is “neutralized,” the country’s defense minister said on Friday.Hulusi Akar, the minister, was in Turkish capital Ankara to pay a visit to the family of gendarme sergeant Ozgur Can Ince, who was among eight soldiers martyred in a PKK terrorist attack in southeastern province of Batman.On Thursday morning, PKK terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device planted on a road when a Turkish military vehicle was passing through the area, leaving eight soldiers martyred and another seriously injured."Turkey will continue fight against terror until the last terrorist will be neutralized. We can't stop or wait," Akar said."We can't stop. Turkish armed forces will continue their fight against terror with commitment and determination as they have been doing it for long," he stated.During its 30-year campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including numerous women and children.YPG/PKK terror group digging in around Manbij, SyriaTurkey neutralizes 3 PKK terrorists in N. IraqIraq condemns PKK attack in southeastern Turkey'Turkey will rid itself of PKK terrorists'PKK turns Syria into drug farm under US protection
'Turkey to never stop fight against terror'
The U.S. has yet to fulfill its promises given to Turkey about Manbij, Syria, with the YPG/PKK terror group surrounding the district center with trenches and embankments.After Turkey and the U.S. agreed this June to a roadmap agreement for removal of the YPG/PKK terror organization from Manbij, the terror group has to the contrary stepped up its presence and activities in the area, according to Anadolu Agency reporting. The terrorist group has completed the construction of trenches and embankments in areas surrounding the entire city center as if it has no intention of leaving.Highlighting problems with the agreement, Turkish presidential aide Ibrahim Kalin said on Wednesday: "Delaying tactics started becoming a growing problem. The Manbij roadmap should be implemented as soon as possible."Video: YPG/PKK dig ditches around Manbij in fear of Turkish forcesThe terror organization formed embankments at various depths in front of trenches to make up a series of lines stretching nearly 30 kilometers (18.06 miles).The trenches can be clearly seen from the sky in satellite photos taken by Anadolu Agency.The YPG/PKK terrorists also built tunnels linking trenches to use during possible combat.The terror group, using the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) label, organizes "defense of Manbij" meetings under the terror leadership from the PKK headquarters in Mt. Qandil, Iraq. Buildup next to areas liberated by TurkeyThe YPG is the Syrian branch of the terrorist PKK, whose 30-year terror campaign in Turkey has taken some 40,000 lives.Senior PKK/YPG terrorists train newly joined members of the terror group who escaped from Afrin -- liberated by Turkish-led forces this March -- to Manbij with U.S. support under the SDF umbrella.Turkey has long objected to U.S. support for the YPG/PKK.While the U.S. recognizes the PKK as a terrorist group, it has claimed the YPG is a “reliable ally” in the fight against Daesh, ignoring Turkey’s evidence that it is actually a PKK branch.The YPG/PKK terror group is also in the midst of a military buildup along Manbij's border with areas liberated by Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016-2017.The Turkish army first started patrolling on June 18 in Manbij with U.S. troops in line with a previously agreed roadmap for eliminating terrorists and stabilizing the area. So far the two armies have done 55 patrols in the region.The Manbij roadmap was first announced after a meeting in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.The deal focuses on the withdrawal of PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.Turkey has said the presence of terrorist forces near its border constitute a threat, and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.U.S. military support for the YPG/PKK terrorist group in Manbij has strained ties between Ankara and Washington and has led to fears of military clashes between the two NATO allies, since there are roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in the city.
YPG/PKK terror group digging in around Manbij, Syria
The Turkish army “neutralized” 68 PKK terrorists on Turkish soil and in northern Iraq over the past week, including two senior terrorists, the military said on Friday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In a weekly statement, the Turkish General Staff said that from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, the army carried out anti-terror operations in Turkey’s southeastern Sirnak, Siirt, Diyarbakir, and Agri provinces, as well as in regions of northern Iraq.The statement said 12 terrorists were neutralized on Turkish soil, while 56 others were neutralized in northern Iraq.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.Turkey neutralizes 3 PKK terrorists in N. IraqUS seeks to threaten Turkish Bashiqa military presence, Ovaköy border gateUS 'on track' with Manbij roadmap: commanderIraq condemns PKK attack in southeastern Turkey
Turkish army 'neutralizes' 68 terrorists over past week
Iraq strongly condemned an attack Thursday by the PKK terror group in Turkey’s Batman province in which eight Turkish soldiers were martyred.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Mahjoub said Iraq is against terror and violence for whatever reason.He added that Iraq is in solidarity with neighboring Turkey on maintaining security and stability.PKK terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device as an armored military vehicle passed by, martyring eight soldiers and injuring one.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.US condemns terror attack that martyred seven Turkish soldiersSeven Turkish soldiers martyred in PKK terror attack
Iraq condemns PKK attack in southeastern Turkey