US, Germany express support for Türkiye after earthquakes

Photo: AA

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The governments of the US and Germany have expressed support for Türkiye and Syria after the February 6 earthquakes in Maraş and yesterday's (February 20) earthquake in Hatay.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the city, which shares the border with northwestern Syria, two weeks after the double earthquake that caused massive destruction in 10 cities in Türkiye, as well as parts of northern Syria.

The quake left at least six people killed and hundreds of others injured, as many buildings that were damaged after the powerful earthquakes on February 6 collapsed.

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier released a written statement in four languages — English, Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic — vowing to continue support for the earthquake-hit regions in Türkiye and Syria.

"It is almost two weeks since an enormous earthquake shook the region around the Turkish-Syrian border ... The images have burned themselves into our memories. A once-in-a-century disaster!" Steinmeier said in the statement.

"For us to say: Germany, the country that we share, is there for you!
"I am here today, we are here today, to show all of the people affected by this disaster: We stand by your side. And we will remain by your side."

Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor to the US president, tweeted after the Hatay earthquake, saying, "We are deeply concerned by the news of earthquakes impacting areas already devastated in Turkiye and Syria. The U.S. will continue to extend our full support."

More than 41,000 people were killed in the February 6 earthquakes centered in Maraş, with more than 100,000 injured. The magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes affected 10 cities in the country's south and southeast. (AÖ/VK)