Offering condolences on behalf of the Defense Department to the families of victims of today's attacks in southeastern Turkey, Defense Secretary Ash Carter reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to stand by its ally.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish allies in strongly condemning these despicable attacks, which appear to have targeted Turkish security personnel,” Carter said in a statement. “With these attacks, we are reminded of the remarkable bravery and self-sacrifice that allied security personnel demonstrate every day in the fight against terrorism.”
At least a dozen people were killed and dozens more were wounded in two bomb attacks and a rocket attack, according to news reports.
The United States remains committed to cooperating closely with Turkey bilaterally, within the coalition to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and within NATO “to defend our nations against common threats,” the secretary said.