US 'firmly' stands by Türkiye in fight against PKK: State Department

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US stands "firmly" with its NATO ally Türkiye and Turkish people in the fight against the PKK terrorist organization, said State Department on Monday.

Speaking at his briefing, a day after PKK carried out a suicide attack in Ankara, Spokesman Matthew Miller recalled that the PKK has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US.

"We stand firmly by Türkiye and the Turkish people in their fight against the PKK and we will continue to do so," said Miller in response to a question by an Anadolu reporter on the US support for YPG/PKK.

Miller reiterated that the US "strongly" condemned the terrorist attack in the Turkish capital, and wished those injured a "speedy and full recovery".

On Türkiye’s anti-terror airstrikes in northern Iraq, Miller said: "We recognize the legitimate security threat that PKK poses to Turkey and we urge Turkey to pursue joint counterterrorism cooperation with Iraq in a way that supports and respects Iraqi sovereignty".

The Interior Ministry said it has confirmed links of one of the dead attackers to the PKK terror group, adding that an investigation into the other terrorist involved in Sunday's attack continues.

The vehicle used in the attack was stolen from a Turkish citizen named Mikail Bozlagan, who worked as a veterinary health technician in Develi in the central Kayseri province, said the ministry.

Two police officers were slightly injured when one of the two terrorists on Sunday morning blew himself up in front of the Security Directorate General in the capital.