22 Turkmen being treated in Ankara after chemical attack

ANKARA

A total of 22 Iraqi Turkmen injured in a Daesh chemical attack earlier this month are being treated at a hospital in Ankara, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The Iraqi Turkmen, injured in the attack on Kirkuk's Taze Khormato town, continue to be treated at Polatli State Hospital, the ministry said in a statement Friday.

“We reiterate our harsh condemnation for the inhumane methods used by the Daesh terrorist organization, and once again wish God's mercy upon our two kinsmen who died in the attack," it added.

Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes visited the injured at Polatli Hospital Friday.

Turkes said the Turkmen were brought to the capital on Thursday at the orders of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and with the help of the Iraqi Turkmen Front and Turkmeneli Foundation.

Noting that the welfare of Iraqi Turkmen is one of Turkey’s foreign policy priorities, Turkes said that Turkey would continue to offer all necessary support to its Turkmen brothers, who he said constitute one of Iraq’s three cornerstones.

The March 9 chemical attack left at least two Turkmen dead, and injured scores of others.