Turkey marks third anniversary of deadly ISIL attack on Ankara train station

ANKARA

Thousands of people, including representatives from trade unions and political parties, commemorated on Oct. 10 the third anniversary of a deadly bombing that killed 103 civilians outside the main train station of the Turkish capital Ankara.

“We will never forget Oct. 10. The pain of this big massacre is still burning our hearts. Our anger is as fresh as our pain,” Arzu Çerkezoğlu, the head of the leftist Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK), said during the ceremony held in memory of the 103 victims of the attack.

On Oct. 10, 2015 twin suicide bomb attacks carried out by ISIL killed 103 people and wounded hundreds of others who gathered for a peace rally outside Ankara’s main train station.

The ceremony was attended by the Confederation of Public Laborer’s Unions (KESK), Union of Architects and Engineers of Turkey (TMMOB), the Oct. 10 Peace and Solidarity Association and thousands of civilians. Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers also attended the commemoration.

The program started with a moment of silence for the victims.

“Our outrage is growing everyday as we know that the real murderers are free. Another reason that grows our disappointment and anger is the stance taken by the ruling party before the massacre took place and during the prosecution,” Çerkezoğlu said.

She also vowed their anger will not cease until all those who were behind the attacks will be tried. “We will not let them make us forget this incident,” she said.

The commemoration took place under heavy security measures. During the ceremony, a clash occurred between the police and a group of participants.