Terrorist sympathizers in London attack Turkish mayor

By Hasan Esen

LONDON (AA) - Sympathizers of the PKK terror organization in London attacked Seyma Dogucu, the mayor of Istanbul’s Sancaktepe municipality, on Saturday.

Attending a meeting of the International Municipality Association, Dogucu said she encountered anti-Turkey protests by the terrorist sympathizers.

“We could not remain silent against the lies, slander and insults, so we did not. 'You're lying!' I shouted. They attacked us with flagsticks and punches,” Dogucu said.

“There were only two police officers with us, and this was very inadequate,” she added.

“Whatever the conditions, we will continue to shout the truth to the whole world under the leadership of our President by standing upright in the face of injustices against our country, our nation and our President,” she said on Twitter.

On Friday, PKK supporters in Oslo, Norway pelted a Turkish family’s car with stones after noticing a Turkish flag on their vehicle. The family, including their infant child, was on their way home from a demonstration held in support of Turkey’s operation in northern Syria.

Norwegian police used tear gas to disperse the attackers and two suspects were arrested.

Members of several Turkish civil society organizations gathered Friday in front of Turkey’s embassy in Oslo in a show of support for Operation Peace Spring in Syria, with PKK sympathizers attacking participants as they returned home.

Launched on Oct. 9, Operation Peace Spring aims to eliminate terrorist YPG/PKK elements from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with Syria within 150 hours and security forces from Turkey and Russia will mount joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur