Deputy PM Calls For All To Stand By Turkey Against Terror

Ankara, 12 Jumadil Akhir 1437/22 Mar 2016 (MINA) – Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has called for “all the friends of Turkey” to stand by Ankara in its fight against terrorism “without categorizing between terror groups”.

“It is our expectation from our friends that all of them clearly express their solidarity with Turkey,” he told a press conference Monday, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Turkey has faced a sustained threat with deadly bomb attacks in Istanbul and in capital Ankara recently, which Turkish authorities have described as “steps against Turkey’s anti-terror operations”.

The Saturday bomb attack was attributed to Daesh while the one in Ankara has been linked to the PKK terror organization.

Security forces in the country have been conducting counter-terrorism operations since late July when the PKK renewed its armed campaign against Turkey.

Since then, thousands of PKK terrorists have been killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq, while more than 300 members of Turkish security forces have also been martyred.

“We will not feel scared, give up, and get used to the terror,” Kurtulmus said.

He also said there was no room for speculation over the delay of the Galatasaray-Fenerbahce football match.

“There was quite serious intelligence which required taking precautions,” he said.

The game between the two Istanbul teams, which was supposed to be played Sunday evening, was postponed to a further date due to a decision made by the Istanbul Governorate over security concerns.

Turkey’s football authority is expected to announce a new date for the match in the following days. (T/P010/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)