Turkey’s deputy PM vows support for terror victims

ANKARA

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Tuesday that his government was ready to support citizens in southeastern Turkey where an anti-PKK operation is ongoing.

“Any kind of support will be given to all citizens affected by terrorism,” Kurtulmus said in a televised interview.

Kurtulmus noted that life would return to normal in the areas where the operations are ongoing.

Several towns in Turkey’s southeast come under curfew now and then as Turkish security forces combat the PKK terrorist organization.

The PKK - considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU - resumed its armed campaign in late July.

Since then, more than 200 members of the security forces have been martyred and over 1,700 PKK terrorists killed.

Talks with Israel

Addressing a possible rapprochement deal between Turkey and Israel, Kurtulmus confirmed the ongoing talks describing them as heading in “a positive direction”.

Ankara cut diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv in 2010 after Israeli naval forces raided a Turkish aid ship that was bringing humanitarian supplies to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip.

Last week saw the remarks from Ankara and Tel Aviv that Turkey and Israel were holding talks aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations more than five years after they were severed.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu assured on Tuesday that Turkey would not make any concessions over its demand for compensation and lifting of inhumane restrictions on the Gaza Strip as talks continue with Israel to normalize bilateral ties.