Türkiye's President Erdogan calls Turkish teenager injured in attack by PKK sympathizers in Belgium

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) — Türkiye's president on Tuesday spoke over the phone with one of his country's nationals injured in an attack by sympathizers of the PKK terrorist organization in Belgium.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his get-well wishes to 16-year-old Efe Tapmaz and inquired about the state of his health and his treatment.

Erdogan said his chief advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic would be monitoring the process.

For his part, Tapmaz thanked Erdogan for his concern and said he was in good condition.

"They are immoral, they are vile, they are despicable. The official authorities there and those in our embassy are also monitoring (the situation), as are we," Erdogan assured Tapmaz.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG/PYD is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

A group of PKK sympathizers were seen early on Sunday carrying flags of the PKK terror group while returning from Nevruz (spring) celebrations.

While driving through a street primarily populated by Turkish-origin residents, they shouted provocative slogans, leading to an altercation when the residents responded.

When police arrived at the scene, some vehicles had been set on fire, requiring the use of water cannons to get the situation under control.