Turkey on Thursday accused outlawed Kurdish militants of killing two civilians who were members of a solidarity group aiding people affected by the novel coronavirus, AFP reported.
In a statement the defense ministry said the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) launched a “treacherous attack” on a vehicle carrying members of a social support group, killing two of them.
“This despicable attack will not go unanswered,” the ministry said, without providing details on the location of the incident.
The PKK has fought an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies.
Although violence has surged since a ceasefire broke down in July 2015, the PKK usually targets security forces.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), accused by the government of ties to the PKK, condemned the latest attack, which it said took place in the eastern province of Van, bordering Iran.
“We strongly condemn the attack that occurred in the Özalp district of Van,” the party said in a statement.
“This attack, which comes during the coronavirus pandemic, when we need solidarity, can never be accepted.”