Ankara lashed out at Germany yesterday, saying that allegations that Turkey had become a central hub for Islamist groups reflected a "twisted mentality" that has been trying to target President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. German state broadcaster ARD earlier this week published part of a confidential German government report, which it said marked the first official assessment linking the Turkish government to support for terrorist groups. The report said Turkey had become "the central hub for Islamist groups in the Middle East," ARD reported. Commenting on the report and the ARD's report, German Interior Ministry spokesman Johannes Dimroth said that there has been a miscommunication between the Interior Ministry and Foreign Ministry.In a statement, Turkey's foreign ministry said: "The allegations are a new manifestation of the twisted mentality, which for some time has been trying to wear down our country, by targeting our president and government." Ankara has been incensed by what it sees as an insensitive response from its Western allies, accusing them of only showing concern for the crackdown that has followed the coup.

Ankara has also accused Europe of not doing enough to tackle militant groups at home. It contends that European governments should be a stronger partner in its fight against the PKK, seen as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. "It is obvious that behind these allegations are some political circles in Germany known for their double-standard attitudes in the fight against terror, including the bloody actions of the PKK terror group which continues to target Turkey," the foreign ministry said. "As a country which sincerely fights against terror of every sort whatever its source, Turkey expects that its other partners and allies act in the same way."