October 2007 clashes in Hakkari

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=21 October 2007 Hakkari PKK attack
partof=the Turkey-PKK conflict


caption=Districts of Hakkari province (Turkey)
date=October 21, 2007
place=Near Dağlıca, Yüksekova, Hakkari, Turkey
casus=
territory=
result=
combatant1=
combatant2= Kurdistan Workers Party
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=(07 Oct) 13 killed
(21 Oct) 12 killed, 16 wounded, 8 MIA
casualties2=(07 Oct) 1 killed
(21 Oct) 32 killed
casualties3=17 civilians were woundedThe October 2007 clashes in Hakkari were a series of ambushes and counter-attacks between the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations (including the United States, NATO and the European Union) and the Turkish Armed Forces.cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/fs/2002/12535.htm|title=Foreign Terrorist Organizations List|publisher=United States Department of State|accessdate=2007-08-03 - USSD Foreign Terrorist Organization] cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000011.htm|title=Terrorism Act 2000|publisher=Home Office|accessdate=2007-08-14 - Terrorism Act 2000] cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/45394.htm|title=Council Decision|publisher=Council of the European Union|accessdate=2007-08-14]

7 October attack

A PKK force ambushed an 18-man Turkish commando unit in the Garbar Mountains of Sirnak province, killing 13 Turkish soldiers and wounding three. [cite web|url=http://www.jamestown.org/edm/article.php?article_id=2372491|title=Turkey Prepares For Cross-Border Military Operation|accessdate=2008-03-03|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation] It was one of the heaviest losses the Turkish military has sustained in clashes with the group up to that day. Reports said only one PKK militant was killed. The Turkish military shelled the border area in an attempt to prevent the fighters from fleeing to northern Iraq.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7033075.stm|title=Turkish soldiers killed by rebels|accessdate=2007-10-22|publisher=BBC]

Reaction

The attack was followed by the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) approval allowing Turkish troops the right to engage in incursions to northern Iraq.citeweb|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/10/21/turkey.kurds/index.html|title=U.S. urges restraint after Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with PKK|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2007-10-22]

21 October attack

The attack came just days after Grand National Assembly (TBMM) approval allowing Turkish troops the right to engage in incursions to northern Iraq.cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/10/21/turkey.kurds/index.html|title=U.S. urges restraint after Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with PKK|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2007-10-22]

The PKK blew up a bridge to prevent reinforcements thirty minutes before the attack using 15 kilograms of explosives, cutting off the main route.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/sondakika/7539460.asp?gid=180&sz=56059|title=PKK askeri takviyeyi kesmek için köprüyü havaya uçurdu|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7611489.asp?gid=180&sz=70255|title=Dağlıca'daki köprüyü uçurmak için 15 kilo patlayıcı kullanıldı|accessdate=2007-11-02|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] The PKK attackers then launched an assault on a military outpost, killing 12 soldiers and wounding 16.cite web|url=http://www.24heures.ch/pages/home/24_heures/l_actu/monde/monde_detail/(contenu)/149302|title=Ankara prêt à traquer le PKK jusqu'en Irak|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=French|publisher=24 Hours] cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Estalla/guerra/Kurdistan/iraqui/elpepuint/20071022elpepiint_2/Tes|title=Estalla la guerra en el Kurdistán iraquí|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Spanish|publisher=El País] cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/international/update/1022/TKY200710220053.html|title=トルコ首相「最後まで戦う」と強い決意　クルド攻撃受け|language=Japanese|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|accessdate=2007-10-22] Eight Turkish soldiers were captured by the PKK.cite web|url=http://www.tsk.mil.tr/10_ARSIV/10_1_Basin_Yayin_Faaliyetleri/10_1_Basin_Aciklamalari/2007/BA_25.html|title=Basın Açıklaması|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Turkish Armed Forces]

One of the wounded Turkish soldiers explained the attack in an interview. He said that he was part of a company of 50 soldiers who were attacked starting at 00:20 by around 150 attackers whom even had a Doçka (a Soviet heavy anti-aircraft machine gun). The attackers retreated after 03:45 when AH-1 Cobras arrived.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7540906.asp?gid=180&sz=34152|title=Yaralı asker çatışmayı anlattı|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

The Turkish Armed Forces announced that after sending reinforcements and helicopters to the area shortly afterwards as a retaliation, 32 of the PKK militants were reportedly killed in the earlier stages of the operation.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7532952.asp?gid=180&sz=14304|title=3 koldan ateşe anında karşılık|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

Not far from the scene of the ambush, a minibus with a wedding party hit a landmine believed planted by the PKK. Seventeen civilians (six of them children) were injured and the minibus was completely wrecked. The wounded were airlifted to the Yüksekova hospital.cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=7529828&tarih=2007-10-21|title=Düğün konvoyuna hain saldırı|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

Counter attacks

Artillery was fired into northern Iraq following the 21 October attacks. On early 24 October, AH-1 Cobra helicopters and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets took off of the Diyarbakır Air base and hit PKK camps as far as 50km into Iraqi territory.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7549847.asp?gid=180&sz=9564|title=Diyarbakır'dan savaş uçakları bomba yüklü kalktı|accessdate=2007-10-24|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7547775.asp?gid=48&sz=4669|title=50 km girip vurdular|accessdate=2007-10-24|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Foreign media services have confirmed this.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7550149.asp?gid=48&sz=79148|title=Yabancı ajanslar doğruladı|accessdate=2007-10-24|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

Turkish elite commandos have began a hot pursuit operation in northern Iraq to find the eight missing Turkish soldiers. Radio chatter among PKK operatives on an open channel claimed that after their photos were taken two of the eight soldiers were taken to Arbil.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7548370.asp?gid=180&sz=9564|title=Bordo bereliler Kuzey Irak'ta takipte|accessdate=2007-10-24|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] The soldiers were eventually released on November 4, though all eight were charged with "disobeying orders" by surrendering. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21616849/ Kurdish rebels release 8 Turkish soldiers - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com ] ] [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/02/europe/EU-GEN-Turkey-Soldiers.php Turkish court releases 8 soldiers kidnapped by Kurdish rebels pending trial - International Herald Tribune ] ]

In the search and destroy operation in the vicinity of the attack area, Turkey captured 3 AK-47 assault rifles, 36 hand grenades, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, 27 rockets, 153 AK-47 cartridges, 10 AK-47 magazines and 500 grams of C-4 explosives from the area.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7549846.asp?gid=180&sz=58535|title=İçerde amansız operasyon, sınırda eller tetikte|accessdate=2007-10-24|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

On October 28 8,000 Turkish troops with air support carried out a major operation in Tunceli Province, killing 20 PKK members according to the army. [cite web|url=http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-10-28T151324Z_01_L13546086_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-TURKEY-IRAQ-COL.XML|title=Turkish army kills 20 Kurd militants in clashes|accessdate=2007-10-28|publisher=Reuters]

Reaction

flag|Azerbaijan: The Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan Khazar Ibrahim said "PKK is a terrorist organization and Azerbaijan, as a country suffering from the terrorism, understands and supports the actions of Turkey" in a press conference.cite web|url=http://news.trend.az/cgi-bin/readnews2.pl?newsId=1052848&lang=EN|title=Official Baku Supports Turkey in Fighting against PKK|accessdate=2007-10-28|publisher=Trend] Attacks by the PKK led to unorganized protests on 21 October 2007 in Baku, Azerbaijan in response.

flag|Belgium: An anti-PKK protest had broke out in Schaerbeek Saint-Josse Belgium. some 800 protesters have clashed with the police. 100 people were wounded. Some of the protesters rammed into a squad car wounding the 3 police officers inside. 3 people were arrested for attempted murder as a result.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/7554198.asp?gid=180&sz=36937|title=Belçika'da PKK terörüne karşı gösteride 100 yaralı|language=Turkish|accessdate=2007-10-25|publisher=Hürriyet] cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/7556854.asp?gid=74&sz=31801|title=Belgian anti-PKK protest winds up with 100 injured|accessdate=2007-10-28|publisher=Hürriyet]

flag|Canada: Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Bernier made the statement "Canada condemns the terrorist attacks inflicted upon Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)."citeweb|title=Statement by minister Bernier on escalation of hostilities on the Turkey-Iraq border|url=http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&Language=E&publication_id=385535&docnumber=148|accessdate=2007-10-29|publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade] citeweb|title=Déclaration du ministre Bernier au sujet de l'escalade des hostilités à la frontière turco-iraquienne|url=http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&Language=F&publication_id=385535&docnumber=148|accessdate=2007-10-29|publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade|language=French]

flag|France: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner made the statement: "we condemn in the strongest terms the attack by the PKK on October 21 which killed 12 Turkish soldiers. [...] For France and the European Union, the PKK is a terrorist organization which must be determinedly fought everywhere."cite web|url=https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/editorial/actual/ael2/bulletin.asp?liste=20071022.html#Chapitre5|title=Déclarations de politique étrangère - Ministère des Affaires étrangères|accessdate=2007-10-28|language=French|publisher=Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)] cite web|url=http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files_156/turkey_358/attack-by-the-pkk-in-turkey-21.10.07_10164.html|title=Attack by the PKK in Turkey (October 21, 2007)|accessdate=2007-10-28|publisher=Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)]

flag|Germany: Foreign Office minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that "the federal government condemns any kind of terror in the strongest terms."cite web|url=http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/de/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2007/071021-BMTodT_C3_BCrkSoldaten.html|title=Bundesminister Steinmeier zum Tod von türkischen Soldaten im Grenzgebiet zum Irak|accessdate=2007-10-28|publisher=Foreign Office (Germany)|language=German] President of Germany Turkish Society Kenan Kolat declared that "the attacks cannot have any right cause. But to state for our European friends, when it comes to Islamic terror you ask us to oppose but I think our European friends does not have the same sensitivity against terror with us."cite web|url=http://www.radiomultikulti.de/aktuelles/tuerkisch/eski_guenuen/teroere_tepk__bueyueyor0.html|title=Teröre Tepki Büyüyor|accessdate=2007-10-28|publisher=RadioMultiKult|language=Turkish]

flag|Greece: Minister for Foreign Affairs made the statement: "We encouraged the Turkish government in its diplomatic effort once more, condemning every terrorist action that takes place on its territory, something which is a constant Greek position"cite web|url=http://www.ypex.gov.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articles/el-GR/251007_F2101.htm|title=Δήλωση ΥΠΕΞ κας Μπακογιάννη μετά πέρας εργασιών 17ης Συνόδου ΥΠΕΞ κρατών-μελών ΟΣΕΠ (Άγκυρα, 25/10/2007)|accessdate=2007-10-28|language=Greek|publisher=Minister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)]

flag|Iraq: In preparations to a possible incursion by Turkey into northern Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan authorities have deployed more Peshmerga fighters to the border.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7535524.asp?gid=180&sz=14304|title=Peşmerge sınırda, Kuzey Irak'ta endişe|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Talabani and Barzani stated that the PKK must leave Iraq if it desires to fight. They further stated that they would not hand a cat let alone a Kurd to the Turkish authorities and that they would not side with anyone.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7532937.asp?gid=180&sz=27644|title=PKK savaşacaksa Irak’ı terk etmeli|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] On a separate announcement Barzani said they do not consider the PKK to be a terrorist organization.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7533752.asp?gid=180&sz=668|title=Barzani: PKK terör örgütü değil|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Iraqi president Talabani said that the PKK will drop arms.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/7537506.asp?gid=180&sz=72111|title=Talabani: PKK silah bırakacak|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] After a phone call from Condoleezza Rice, Barzani also asked the PKK to cease fire.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/7538701.asp?gid=180&sz=10992|title=Barzani'den PKK'ya ‘ateşkes’ çağrısı|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Despite this the PKK announced that a cease-fire was not the case.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7543082.asp?gid=180&sz=34152|title=PKK: Silah bırakmadık|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki said that all offices of PKK would be shut and that PKK will be denied the use of Iraqi soil for their operations.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/7544944.asp?gid=180&sz=34152|title='PKK büroları kapatılacak, Irak toprakları kullandırılmayacak'|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Maliki on a discussion with Turkish foreign relations minister Babacan has stated that the PKK is a threat to Iraq as well for attacking the Iraqi oil pipelines, a very important source of income in Iraq.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7551657.asp?gid=180&sz=7744|title=İşte Irak'ı korkutan gerçek|accessdate=2007-10-24|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

flag|Italy: President of the Council of Ministers of Italy (Prime Minister) Romano Prodi in a phone call relayed his condolences and solidarity for the act of terrorism on 26 October.cite web|url=http://www.governo.it/Presidente/Comunicati/dettaglio.asp?d=37002|title=Turchia, colloquio telefonico Prodi-Erdogan|accessdate=2007-11-10|language=Italian|publisher=Prime minister of Italy]

flag|Japan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the statement: "The Government of Japan is concerned over the recent security situation in the Republic of Turkey where a number of people including civilians have been victimized by the terrorist attacks of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. The Government of Japan emphatically condemns the latest series of violence by the PKK. The Government of Japan calls upon the Government of Iraq to take appropriate measures to stop the terrorist activities of PKK members hiding in northern Iraq, and the Government of Turkey to exercise utmost self-restraint. Japan hopes that the situation will swiftly calm down with the cooperation of the countries concerned."cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/danwa/19/dga_1022.html|title=トルコにおけるクルド労働者党（PKK）の攻撃を巡る最近の情勢について|accessdate=2007-10-30|language=Japanese|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)] cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2007/10/1175847_836.html|title=Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Recent Situation on Attacks by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party(PKK)|accessdate=2007-10-30|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)]

flag|Turkey: Attacks by the PKK has led to a series of unorganized protests that had taken place on 21 October 2007 in various cities throughout Turkey in response.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7532944.asp?gid=180&sz=52559|title=Türkiye ayakta|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7055623.stm|title=Turkey vows to defeat PKK rebels|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2007-10-22] In Istanbul the protests centered around Taksim Square, where political activists gave away small Turkish flags to the people congregating there.cite web|url=http://www.cdt.ch/interna.asp?idarticolo=tio357389&idtipo=2|title=Turchia-Iraq: in migliaia manifestano a Istanbul contro Pkk|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Italian|publisher=Corriere del Ticino] All scheduled concerts and entertainment programs were canceled in reaction to the attacks.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/magazin/anasayfa/7529819.asp?gid=180&sz=35292|title=Tüm konserler iptal|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Various Turkish business persons have condemned the attacks.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/7537602.asp?gid=180&sz=72111|title=İş dünyasından teröre tepki yağdı|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] 350 being women a total of 4,500 signed up as volunteers to join the armed forces to fight against the PKK. 1,200 of the 4,500 had already completed heir mandatory military service.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7539434.asp?gid=180&sz=10992|title=350 Türk kadını asker kuyruğunda|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] The Turkish government is currently debating how to respond to the attacks.cite web|url=http://dn.sapo.pt/2007/10/22/internacional/ancara_prepara_resposta_pkk.html|title=Ancara prepara resposta ao PKK|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Portuguese|publisher=Diário de Notícias] Turkey may cut the electricity she is selling to northern Iraq whether or not this will be cut hasn't been decided on yet.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/7535363.asp?gid=180&sz=35292|title=Türkiye şalteri indirecek mi?|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Turkish military presence at the Iraqi border has reached "highest levels" with numerous rainforcements of Tanks and other military hardware.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7539583.asp?gid=180&sz=10992|title=Büyük yığınak|accessdate=2007-10-23|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] Turkey demanded that Turkey may decide not to perform a land based operation in Northern Iraq by the Neighboring Countries of Iraq meeting on 2 November on the conditions that Iraq start returning the PKK leaders on a 150-person list already handed to Iraq andthat the envoy that will come to Turkey tomorrow (25 October) to have useful intelligence information with them.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7551656.asp?gid=180&sz=7744|title=2 Kasım'a kadar kara harekatı yok|accessdate=2007-10-23|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

flag|United Kingdom: In a press conference with the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown said that they "absolutely and unequivocally condemn the terrorist violence of the PKK" and further added that they are signing a strategic partnership with Turkey.cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoWP6qHShOY|title=Gordon Brown and Recep Erdogan's press conference|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=Youtube] cite web|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page13590.asp|title=PM welcomes Turkey restraint on PKK|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]

flag|United States: Head of foreign affairs Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked Turkey to give them a few days to respond to the attacks properly. The Turkish prime minister said that Rice was implying that the US may act together with Turkey.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7532939.asp?top=1|title=Bize birkaç gün müsaade edin|accessdate=2007-10-22|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7539592.asp?gid=180&sz=10992|title=ABD ortak yapalım diyor|accessdate=2007-10-23|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] US president George W. Bush called the Turkish president Abdullah Gül and assured that they are with Turkey on the war against the PKK. He also added that he will continue to pressure Iraqis to take action against the PKK.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/7540189.asp?gid=180&sz=10992|title=PKK’ya karşı savaşınızda birlikteyiz|accessdate=2007-10-23|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet] David M. Satterfield, senior adviser on Iraq to United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has said that they are not pleased with the lack of action by the Kurdish leaders.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/7549513.asp?gid=180&sz=7744|title='Kürt liderlerinin hareketsizliğinden memnun değiliz'|accessdate=2007-10-23|language=Turkish|publisher=Hürriyet]

flag|US & flag|UK: In a joint statement US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband announced that they "condemn the latest attacks by the PKK terrorist group against Turkey and its citizens." In the statement they further urged the "Iraqi and Kurdish Regional Government authorities to take immediate steps to halt PKK operations from Iraqi territory."cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/oct/93816.htm|title=Joint Statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and David Miliband, M.P., Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=United States Department of State] cite web|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid=1188504695847|title=MILIBAND CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON TURKEY-IRAQ BORDER (21/10/07)|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs]

NATO: Secretary General of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer "firmly condemned" the latest PKK attack on behalf of the NATO Allies.cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2007/10-october/e1021a.html|title=NATO news: NATO Secretary General condemns attacks in Turkey - 21 Oct 2007|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=North Atlantic Treaty Organization]

flag|European Union: President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering has stated a "total condemnation of the terrorist violence perpetrated by the PKK in Turkish territory, in particular the attacks carried out over this last weekend". The statement further urged that "the International Community, in particular all the main stakeholders in the region, must support Turkey's efforts to protect its population and fight terrorism"cite web|url=http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Noticias_Documentos/Declaracoes_PESC/20071022PESCPKK.htm|title=Presidency declaration on the terrorist attacks of the PKK in Turkey over the weekend|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=European Union] President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said that Turkey has a right to defend herself. He further added that they condemned PKK's attack.cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/7544778.asp?gid=180&sz=34152|title=Barroso: 'Türkiye'nin kendisini savunma hakkı var'|language=Turkish|accessdate=2007-10-23|publisher=Hürriyet]

References