LOC22:07
19:07 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 14 (KUNA) -- The United States affirmed on Thursday that
it stands in solidarity with Turkey in its fight against PKK, but hinted that
it is only providing intelligence for Ankara in this fight.
"We do support Turkey in its fight against the PKK with intelligence. I
cannot get into the details of that. We stand in solidarity with Turkey in its
fight against the PKK and stand ready to assist," said State Department
spokesperson Mark Toner in a press briefing.
"But right now I believe it is mostly intelligence sharing that we conduct
with them," he added while hinting that US military deals with Ankara has been
stalled in the last few years.
Thirteen Turkish soldiers were killed and seven wounded in an ambush during
clashes with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), marking the worst escalation of
violence between both sides since a cease-fire was announced last February.
Toner noted that "our cooperation with Turkey against the PKK spans three
presidential administrations, and it is only grown over time". (end)
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