Erdoğan: Seven Turkish soldiers martyred in SE

Seven soldiers were martyred and 25 others injured following an accidental explosion of defective ammunition in Turkey’s southeastern Hakkari province, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday.

“Seven of our children were martyred and 25 were injured as of now due to the blast in a munitions depot in Hakkari. May God have mercy on our martyrs, and we wish our injured a quick recovery.”

The injured are being treated at a hospital while rescue workers are trying to reach seven missing soldiers, the National Defense ministry reported earlier.

Speaking at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the demise of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Erdoğan slammed the U.S. for putting a bounty on key Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists, while at the same time cooperating with the terror group.

“We know very well how those who placed bounties on the heads of Qandil’s ringleaders are working with them behind the scenes. While patrolling together arm in arm with members of the same group in Syria, they target their leaders in Iraq. They think they’re fooling us.”

On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department put a bounty on three key PKK terrorists, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced. Under the Rewards for Justice program, people who give information on the identification or location of PKK terrorists Murat Karayilan, Cemil Bayik, and Duran Kalkan are eligible for rewards of $3-5 million.

The announcement followed U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer’s official visit to the capital Ankara.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.

“Our 2023 goals are not only restricted to the economy, but we’re also determined to become one of the world’s most advanced countries in matters of democracy,” President Erdoğan said.

Turkey’s 2023 Vision sets specific targets for improvements in the areas of economic activity, energy, healthcare, education, and transport.