Turkey accuses BBC of supporting terrorism

Turkey's Foreign Ministry accused the BBC on Friday of supporting terrorism because of a piece the British broadcaster ran on militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The BBC piece focused on a PKK training camp in northern Iraq for female fighters of different ethnic backgrounds, many of whom are preparing for battle against the Islamic State militant group.

The PKK's ceasefire with Turkey broke down last month after more than two years, and the renewed conflict has left nearly 100 people dead inside the country. In addition, Turkey has carried out airstrikes against PKK camps in Iraq.

The BBC story demonstrated "open support for terrorism", a statement from the ministry said, noting that the PKK is considered a terrorist group by many European nations. The ministry said the piece depicted the PKK as "innocent" and served as propaganda for the armed group.

Turkey called on the BBC to act towards the PKK as it did towards the Irish Republican Army (IRA) when it carried out attacks against police in Northern Ireland.    (dpa)

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