Turkey condemns deadly YPG/PKK terror attack in Syria

ANKARA

Turkey strongly condemned the YPG/PKK terror attack which claimed the lives of at least 13 civilians in Tal Abyad, Syria on Saturday.

“We harshly condemn the inhumane attack of the bloody YPG/PKK terrorists who carried out a bomb attack against the innocent civilians of Tal Abyad who could return to their homes and lands as a result of Operation Peace Spring and we call on all countries to take a stand against this brutal terror group,” the National Defense Ministry said in a written statement.

The ministry said, citing the initial reports, at least 13 civilians were killed and some 20 others injured in the attack which targeted a marketplace in the district center of Tal Abyad.

The statement wished God's mercy upon the dead and speedy recovery for the injured.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also condemned the attack.

“The attack targeting innocent civilians in Tal Abyad should serve as a lesson to those who provide shelter to the YPG terrorist organization and justify its actions,” Cavusoglu said on Twitter.

He added the “heinous attack” proves that Turkey's anti-terror operation in Syria is right and timely.

Decrying the attack on his Twitter account, Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said: "This terror attack exposed once again the true face of YPG/PKK terror group and the risks of supporting terror groups.

"This attack shows that partnering with terrorist organizations will not correct their behavior and change their methods of reaching their goals but only increase their destructive and violent capacity to conduct further terrorist actions."

Altun noted that partnering with the terror group give them better opportunities and equipment to plot more bloody attacks, and said the attack in Tal Abyad showed that "the YPG is back to its classic methods."

He said those who support the terrorist group are responsible for this and other attacks in the future, and reiterated Turkey's determination to fight against terrorism.

"Those who try to portray the YPG as a legitimate fighting force must show sympathy for the victims of this attack.

"Terror is not a threat that can be dealt with through double standards," Altun said.

Turkey’s Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also condemned the attack and said on Twitter: “This shows once again the true face of this terrorist organization.

“Turkey will continue to fight against terrorism in all of its forms and shapes.”

The YPG/PKK terrorists continue attacks in Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn districts despite pulling out of areas under a deal reached by Turkey and the U.S. on Oct. 17.

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.