Turkey: Civilians killed in PKK-linked car bomb attack

ANKARA

Five civilians, including a five-month-old baby, were killed in Wednesday’s car bomb attack on a Turkish police facility, the prime minister has said.

The incident took place in the Cinar district of Turkey’s southeastern Diyarbakir province at about 11.30 p.m. (2130GMT), Diyarbakir Governorate said in a statement.

A policeman is also among the dead. Diyarbakir Governorate – which blamed the terrorist organization PKK – also said shots were fired at police during the assault.

One building collapsed due to the force of the blast. Search-and-rescue teams retrieved the bodies of three people and saved five others trapped under rubble. A total of 20 other civilians were injured as the blast damaged nearby houses. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet

Davutoglu confirmed the five civilian deaths and said 39 people, six of whom were security force personnel, had been hurt.

Some of the dead and injured are family members of police officers who were living in lodgings at the facility.

“I strongly condemn the attack,” Davutoglu told a meeting in Ankara, offering his condolences to the families of the dead civilians and a speedy recovery to those injured.

The prime minister reiterated that terror was the “enemy of humanity” and called for a united stance against terrorism.

“As Turkey, we will continue our fight against every kind of terrorism... While sustaining our fight against terrorism, at the same time, we are resolved to eradicate the resources terrorism feeds on,” Davutoglu added.

The European Union also strongly condemned the attack.

''The EU strongly condemns the horrific attack today by the PKK on the police headquarters in [the Turkish town of] Cinar,'' Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman of the European Commission, said Thursday. ''We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved and sympathies to those injured.''

''The continued deterioration of the overall security situation in the southeast of Turkey is extremely disquieting,'' Kocijancic said. ''The EU has repeatedly expressed its concern and is following developments closely.''

Later Thursday, the U.S. State Department also "strongly condemned" the bombings while offering condolences to the victims and their families.

"Turkey is a friend and a NATO ally and we will continue to stand with the Turkish people" as long as they continue to deal with the terrorist attacks, a spokesman said.

The PKK -- considered a terrorist organization also by the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in late July.

Since then, more than 200 members of the security forces have been martyred and thousands of PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.

Arrests

Police have said that two suspects have been detained in relation to the deadly attack, but have yet to release more details.

Footage from surveillance cameras is being reviewed and police are continuing their efforts to collect evidence at the scene.

Medical treatment of the injured is continuing in nearby hospitals, said the governorate.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in late July.

Since then, more than 200 members of the security forces have been martyred and thousands of PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.