US condemns Diyarbak?r attack, vows solidarity

The United States has "strongly" condemned a Jan. 14 bomb attack allegedly conducted by outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in the southeastern province of Diyarbak?r which killed six and wounded dozens.

"In addition to the attacks in Indonesia, I want to note that we also strongly condemn yesterday's terrorist bombings in Diyarbak?r in Turkey and extend our condolences again to all those who were affected, killed, and wounded, as well as their family and friends," State Department spokesperson John Kirby said at a daily press meeting.

Kirby also added that the U.S. would continue to act in solidarity with the Turkish people in the country's fight against terrorist threats.

"Turkey is a friend and a NATO ally, and we will continue to stand with the Turkish people as they continue to deal with very real terrorist threats on their soil," he said.

One policeman was killed in the attack, while a 5-month-old baby, a 1-year-old toddler and a 5-year-old child were among those killed. Thirty-three people, including six police officers, were injured in the attack in the Ç?nar district.

Meanwhile, Kirby also commented on a question over PKK militants' presence inside the People's Protection Units (YPG) ranks fighting against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants.

"I don't have the identification cards of everybody in the YPG ? There are Kurdish fighters that are proving effective against ISIL. We're going to continue to support them as best we can. That's not new," Kirby said, emphasizing that the YPG was a foreign terrorist organization and that the U.S. stance on the organization had not changed.
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