ANKARA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy in Turkey on Saturday slammed the display of banner of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan after capture of Syria's Raqqa, saying he was "not worthy of respect."
"Our attitude towards the liberation of Raqqa as a gain for all Syrians is clear. We expect all parties to avoid acts that may increase tension or be seen as aggressive," the embassy said in a written statement.
"The PKK is an organization on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Ocalan is in prison in Turkey because of the terrorist activities connected with the PKK. He is not a person worthy to be respected," the statement said.
The embassy underlined the U.S. government works closely with Turkey in the fight against terrorism and increase regional stability.
Heather Nauert, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, also emphasized on Friday night the importance of counter-terrorism cooperation between Turkey and the United States.
The statement came after Turkey slammed the United States over the move which would further harm the already-fraught relations between Ankara and Washington.
"How can the United States explain the poster of Ocalan in Raqqa? Is this the way they are cooperating with us in the fight against terror?" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.
"You are not standing by us against terrorism. You wouldn't allow this if you were." he said.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.
Ocalan, who founded the PKK in 1978, was jailed on a treason conviction in Turkey in 1999.
Ankara has repeatedly denounced the continued U.S. support to the Democratic Union Party, the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, as its ally on the ground in combating IS in Syria.
