International condemnation against PKK attack piles up

Prominent international bodies showered Turkey with well wishes and pledges of solidarity on Wednesday, hours after the massacre carried out by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the town of Çukurca, in Hakkari province, near the border with Iraq, where 24 Turkish security personnel were killed and 18 wounded in simultaneous ambushes.

US President Barack Obama condemned the PKK assault as an "outrageous terrorist attack".

"The United States will continue our strong cooperation with the Turkish government as it works to defeat the terrorist threat from the PKK and to bring peace, stability and prosperity to all the people of southeast Turkey," Obama said in a statement.

US Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks, expressing full support for Turkey in its fight against terrorism.

In a statement released a few hours after the attacks in Hakkari, Rasmussen condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent terrorist attacks.

Noting that there is no justification for such acts of violence, he expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. He stressed that NATO allies stand in solidarity in the fight against terrorism.

Ricciardone also released a statement and delivered condolences to the families of the victims on behalf of the US government. The US envoy highlighted that no political cause or belief can legitimize terrorism, adding that the US will continue to support Turkey in its fight against the PKK, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the US.

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton accused PKK members of launching "shameful terrorist attacks" on Turkish soldiers and said the EU was ready to help Ankara deal with the violence.    

"I was appalled to learn of today's shameful terrorist attacks in Turkey by the PKK. I condemn them in the strongest terms, and deeply regret the loss of life," Ashton said in the statement.    

She said the EU continued to view the PKK as a "terrorist" organization.    

"I stress once again that the EU stands with Turkey in its resolve to fight against terrorism. We should all be clear that nothing justifies such indiscriminate violence," she said.     

"The PKK remains on the EU's list of terrorist organisations, and the EU has recently stated its readiness to intensify its dialogue with Turkey in combating terror."    

Turkey launched air and ground assaults on PKK members in Iraq on Wednesday, vowing to take "great revenge".     

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also condemned the terrorist attack and said he is greatly saddened over the deaths of many Turkish troops. He added that the German government is also concerned over increasing violent incidents in Turkish-Iraqi border since the June 12 parliamentary elections in Turkey.

The German foreign minister called on all parties to do everything to avert increasing violence.

French Foreign Ministry also released a statement strongly condemning the PKK attack, stressing that the latest terrorist attack will strengthen France support for Turkey's struggle against PKK terrorism.

France also called on pro-Kurdish deputies in Turkish parliament to distance themselves from the terrorist organization.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague also condemned the PKK attack from his Twitter feed. "I utterly condemn the terrorist attack in Turkey. My thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims. Turkey has full UK suppor," he said.