37 attacks take place against Turkish institutions in 2018 in Germany

ISTANBUL

A total of 37 attacks have taken place against Turkish institutions in 2018 in Germany, German newspaper Funke Mediengruppe reported on March 20, basing the figures on the German Interior Ministry sources.

It has been noted that the attacks have visibly increased after Turkey launched “Operation Olive Branch” on Jan. 20 to clear militant groups from Afrin in northwestern Syria amid growing threats posed from the region.

According to the report, several mosques, cultural institutions and restaurants belonging to the Turkish community have been targeted.

State-run Anadolu Agency noted the attacks came amid threats from groups linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to carry out more violence in Germany.

The number of attacks against Turkish institutions in the country was 13 in 2017.

The spokesperson of the Interior Ministry, who spoke to Funke Mediengruppe, said they have been witnessing the rising tension between Kurdish and Turkish people living in Germany, especially after the start of the “Operation Olive Branch.”

The PKK has been banned in Germany since 1993, but remains active with nearly 14,000 followers in the country.

Ankara has long criticized Berlin for not taking serious measures against the PKK, which uses the country as a platform for their fundraising, recruitment and propaganda activities.

Germany has a three million-strong Turkish community, many of whom are second- and third-generation German-born citizens whose Turkish grandparents moved to the country during the 1960s.