Turkey reiterates resolve to fight against terrorism

Turkey's top national security board on Thursday reiterated commitment to continue the fight against terrorism in a meeting, a day after the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) killed eight troops and a village guard in an attack in southeastern Turkey, Xinhua reported.

"Heinous attacks of the terrorist organization will be given the harshest response. The fight against terrorism will continue resolutely without giving any concessions from democracy and the rule of law," the National Security Council said in a written statement issued after the four-and-a-half hour meeting chaired by Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

"New strategies will be devised for a more effective and determined struggle with maximum coordination among state bodies and no negative developments that could disturb daily life will be allowed," the council said.

Eight Turkish soldiers and one security guard were killed early Wednesday morning in Turkey's southeastern district of Hakkari in the latest attack carried out by the PKK.
The PKK has intensified its attacks on the Turkish troops recently and Turkish officials have vowed to retaliate with absolute determination.

Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, the PKK took up arms in 1984 to create an ethnic homeland in southeastern Turkey. More than 40,000 people have been killed in conflicts involving the PKK in the past over two decades.


/Trend/