US condemns cross-border attack on ‘NATO ally Turkey’

The United States yesterday condemned cross-border attacks on Turkish soil and offered condolences for the killings of two Turkish police officers in northern Syria, Anadolu reported.

“We condemn the cross-border attack against our NATO ally Turkey,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a news conference. “We express our condolences to the families of the Turkish national police officers who were killed in Syria.”

“We underscore the importance of maintaining cease-fire lines, and halting cross-border attacks.”

On Monday, the YPG fired three mortar shells from an area they occupied in Syria into different locations in the Karkamis district of southeastern Gaziantep province. No casualties were reported by the Gaziantep governor’s office.

READ: Turkey has lost patience with the YPG, will launch new Syria operation

However, two Turkish special operations police officers were killed and two others were wounded when the attacks were launched on Sunday.

“It is crucial for all sides to maintain and to respect cease-fire zones to enhance stability in Syria, and to work towards a political solution to the conflict,” said Price.

Turkey has been carrying out operations against terror groups in northern Iraq and Syria, particularly against the YPG.