Turkey accuses PKK of targeting border post amid earthquake tragedy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Feb 2023 10:58
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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense points fingers at the Kurdistan Workers' Party after a Turkish post on the Syrian border gets targeted amid rescue efforts following the devastating earthquake.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (AP)

Following the devastating earthquake that destroyed regions in both Syria and Turkey, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense accused the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) of targeting a Turkish post on the Syrian border.

"The terrorist organization PKK/YPG, devoid of a sense of humanity, took advantage of the earthquake and launched a vile attack from a multi-barreled rocket launcher from Tell Rifaat to the area of responsibility of our border post Oncupinar. Although our troops were not injured or suffered losses, a retaliatory strike was carried out against terrorist targets," the ministry said via Twitter.

İnsanlıktan nasibini almamış olan terör örgütü PKK/YPG, depremi bile fırsat bilerek Tel Rıfat’tan Öncüpınar Hudut Karakolumuzun sorumluluk sahasına alçakça bir ÇNRA saldırısı gerçekleştirdi. Birliklerimizde hasar-zayiat oluşmazken, terör hedeflerine misliyle karşılık verildi. pic.twitter.com/YJlQcbc7zP
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) February 7, 2023

Earlier in January, the Turkish Interior Ministry confirmed that Turkish security forces launched an operation targeting suspected sites of the PKK in the southeastern province of Batman.

The Ministry indicated that the new operation, which involves the participation of 650 security personnel, aims to expel the remaining PKK militants in the province.

It also noted that the campaign is an extension of the ongoing “Eren Blockade” autumn-winter operations, which aim to expel the PKK militants from Turkey's rural areas.

Turkey, Syria earthquake kills more than 3,000, death toll to rise

The major 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, killed more than 3,000 people and collapsed thousands of buildings as rescuers dug with bare hands for survivors.

Multi-story apartment buildings full of residents were among the 5,606 structures reduced to rubble in Turkey, while Syria announced hundreds of collapses, as well as damage to archaeological sites in Aleppo.

The head of Syria's National Earthquake Center, Raed Ahmad, called it "the biggest earthquake recorded in the history of the center."

The initial quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks, including a 7.5-magnitude tremor that shook the region.

At least 769 people died across Syria, the government and rescuers said.

Turkish government officials reported another 3381 deaths, putting the combined total at over 4000 so far. Ankara declared seven days of mourning for the dead.

The rescue was being hampered by a winter blizzard that covered major roads in ice and snow. Officials said the earthquake made three major airports in the area inoperable, further complicating deliveries of vital aid.