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Russia alarmed by instability in Turkey’s southeast — foreign ministry

Late on August 17 and today armed attacks at security agencies, also with the use of explosive devices, occurred in the provinces of Van, Bitlis and Elazig
Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow ITAR-TASS/Gennady Khamelyanin
Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow
© ITAR-TASS/Gennady Khamelyanin

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Russia is concerned about instability in Turkey’s southeast, where a chain of blasts targeting law enforcers took place on August 17 and 18, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.

"According to available information, late on August 17 and today armed attacks at security agencies, also with the use of explosive devices, occurred in the provinces of Van, Bitlis and Elazig," the spokeswoman said.

"Preliminary reports put the death toll at more than ten people, and say about 180 people have been wounded," she said. "We are alarmed by ongoing instability in southeastern regions of Turkey," Zakharova went on.

She confirmed that as of the present moment, there have been no reports about casualties among Russian nationals. "We would like to remind you that the above mentioned provinces are among the Turkish regions that the Russian Foreign Ministry insistently recommends Russian nationals not to visit," she added.

Zakharova also presented condolences to the Turkish people in connection with the recent terror attacks and wished an early recovery to the injured.