Several hundred people gathered in central Ankara for an unsanctioned demonstration against the government’s recently launched campaign against the Islamic State (ISIL) jihadist group in Syria, as well as Kurds in Iraq.
Over the past two days, Turkish armed forces – including F-16 jets, tanks and artillery – have attacked ISIL targets in northern Syria and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) positions in northern Iraq.
Turkish security agencies are currently conducting a nationwide counterterrorism operation. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said 600 people suspected of involvement with various terrorist organizations have been detained so far.
The ISIL in turn claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in the border town of Suruc that killed 32 people and injured over 100.
The PKK, established in 1978 to support self-determination for Turkey’s Kurds, announced a unilateral termination of a three-year ceasefire earlier on Saturday.
