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Turkey: Ban voices concern after Kurdish elements launch deadly attacks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Turkey: Ban voices concern after Kurdish elements launch deadly attacks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the reported killing of at least 26 Turkish soldiers by Kurdish elements in the country’s south-east earlier today.

Media reports indicate the attacks took place at police and army posts in the province of Hakkari and were carried out by Kurdish groups operating from Iraqi territory.

“It is clearly unacceptable that Iraq’s territory is being used to mount cross-border attacks against neighbouring countries,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said.

“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Turkey and Iraq should be respected. The Secretary-General urges Iraq and Turkey to engage in constructive dialogue in order to find a peaceful solution to this challenge.”