Palestinians decry massacre of Turkish citizens by PKK

By Mahmoud Barakat

ANKARA (AA) - Palestinian groups on Monday condemned the massacre of 13 Turkish citizens by the terror group PKK in northern Iraq.

Hamas "condemns the execution of 13 Turkish citizens in Gara," the group's spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri tweeted.

"We offer our condolences to the families of the martyrs, the people of Turkey, and the Turkish state," he said. "May Allah protect Turkey from all kinds of evil."

The Palestine Scholars Association in the Diaspora also condemned "the treacherous terrorist crime."

The Turkish nationals, who had been held captive for several years by the PKK, were executed by the group in Gara, northern Iraq over the weekend, during Turkey’s anti-terror operation in the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.