– Terrorists cannot take Turkey hostage, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday.
Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul alongside his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov, Yildirim said: “No terrorist organization can take Turkey hostage,” reported Anadolu Agency.
Yildirim’s remarks came hours after a PKK attack in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak which left 11 police officers martyred, in addition to other recent high-profile attacks.
“Our citizens should understand and know that we are waging all-out war on all terrorist organizations,” he added.
Yildirim also said Turkey “will cause the collapse of the terrorist organization [PKK] that caused trouble” to the country.
“As Gazi [Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk] said during the War of Independence, ‘Either independence or death’,” said Yildirim. “We will give the necessary response to these villains who targeted the fellowship and unity of 79 million people.”
At least 11 police officers were martyred Friday when PKK terrorists detonated a car bomb near a police checkpoint in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak, the regional governor’s office said.
Health Minister Recep Akdag also said that the blast injured over 70 people, some critically.
The Anti-Daesh operation in Syria
Yildirim also said the military’s current Operation Euphrates Shield around the city of Jarabulus, northern Syria will continue until “Daesh and all other terror elements are cleared from the area”.
“Since the beginning we have supported Syria’s territorial integrity. The aim of these terrorist organizations is separatism in both Turkey and Syria,” he added.
Yildirim said the Free Syrian Army is clearing Daesh terrorists from the region.
“Our soldiers are giving them logistical support,” he added.
He added that Turkish soldiers are ensuring the safety of both people and the border.
