As violence in Turkey soars, concern for election security

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu appealed for calm on Tuesday after crowds angered by renewed Kurdish militant violence attacked newspapers and offices of a pro-Kurdish political party in a night of nationalist-tinged violence across the country. The unrest took place after Kurdish militants killed 15 police officers in two bombings in eastern Turkish provinces. More than 40 Turkish warplanes also hit Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets overnight in northern Iraq, where the group has bases, in response to Sunday’s killing of 16 soldiers near the Iraqi border – the deadliest attack since a two-year-old ceasefire ended.

It is unacceptable to damage media institutions, political party buildings and the property of our civilian citizens. I invite all my citizens with hearts full of love for the country to calm, embrace one another, and to have confidence in the state.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The attacks come amid rising tensions in Turkey and warnings the country is on the verge of a protracted civil conflict with its Kurdish minority. Daily clashes between Kurdish militants and security forces in the country’s southeast have cast doubt on whether a credible election can be held in two months’ time, with the fear of violence likely to haunt campaign rallies and voting day itself.

The government should provide security in a democracy

Hurriyet editor-in-chief Sedat Ergin.

Middle East HDP