Turkey remembers young teacher slain by PKK terrorists

CORUM / KARABUK, Turkey

Turkey on Sunday observed the death anniversary of a music teacher who was martyred in a PKK terror attack.

Senay Aybuke Yalcin was martyred in the southeastern province of Batman two years ago. She was 22 years old.

"Two years ago on June 9, they killed our sister treacherously," said Yahya Coban, the provincial director of national education.

Speaking at the commemoration held for her at the cemetery, he added: "We will not forget our martyrs."

The teacher's father, Sadik Yalcin told Anadolu Agency they have spent three Eids without their daughter.

"We don't want anyone to go through something like that," he said.

Senay Aybuke Yalcin succumbed to her wounds in a brazen attack targeting the car of the mayor of Kozluk region in Batman. She was riding a minibus which was part of the convoy.

The perpetrator of the attack was neutralized in March 2018 by Turkish security forces.

Turkish authorities and civilians also sent their condolences on social media using the hashtag #AybukeYalçın.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said in a tweet: “#AybukeYalçın teacher whose smile was wiped off by PKK at such a young age; I swear to you we will struggle till our last breath against those traitors and their supporters."

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 many women and children.

* Erdogan Cagatay Zontur contributed to this story from Ankara