WASHINGTON
The U.S. on Monday called for an end to a series of attacks in Turkey that have been blamed on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“We want to see these attacks cease; we want to see the PKK renounce violence and reengage in talks with the government of Turkey,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. “These attacks are only exacerbating the continuation of the cycle of violence here.”
Turkish security forces have come under attack across the country since the July 20 Suruc bombing in southeastern Turkey, which killed 32 people. The bombing was believed to be the work of Daesh.
At least two Turkish soldiers were killed and 24 others were injured in a suspected suicide attack in Turkey’s eastern Agri province early Sunday, which has been blamed on the PKK.
Separately, a Turkish soldier was killed and four others were injured when a landmine hit their patrol around the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline in Turkey’s southeastern province of Mardin late Saturday, Turkish security sources said.
Following reports that retaliatory Turkish military airstrikes killed at least eight civilians in northern Iraq, Turkey said Saturday that it would launch an investigation into the incident.
Toner said the U.S. takes reports of civilian casualties "very seriously", adding that Washington does not "want to see any civilian casualties”.
“We want to see the PKK stop its attacks against Turkey and then for the Turkish government to respond proportionately,” Toner said.
