A statement released by Adam Ereli, a deputy spokesman for the State Department, said that the US condemned the bombings by the terrorist group the PKK in Istanbul over the weekend, in which four people lost their lives.

The US also regretted the loss of life as a result of violent protests by PKK sympathisers in the south east Turkey and in Istanbul, the statement said. There has been a sharp increase in the number of violent incidents in the south east and elsewhere in Turkey following the death of 14 members of the PKK in clashes with Turkish security forces ten days ago. In a number of cases, there have been clashes with police and security forces during and following the funerals of some of the PKK militants.

Ereli’s statement described Turkey as a valued ally and close friend of the US, and said the two countries stood together in their quest for regional stability and democratic reform. The statement also said that the US called on on all parties to exercise restraint.

“We reiterate our strong condemnation of all terrorist groups, including the PKK. It is important to condemn this violence and stand against terrorists and their supporters,” the statement said.