Mass protests aim to sabotage Kurdish peace process: Erdoğan

ANKARA

Turkish President Erdoğan blamed 'dark circles' for the massive nationwide protests over ISIL's assault on Kobane in a message released on Oct. 9. AA Photo

Street protests that have spread across Turkey are designed to sabotage the ongoing Kurdish resolution process, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, calling on all political parties and citizens for restraint.

Erdoğan’s message came just before the top officials of the People’s Democracy Party (HDP) held a press conference in Diyarbakır to evaluate the recent unrest that has claimed the lives of 22 people in less than 48 hours, in reaction to the government’s perceived inaction against jihadist attacks against Syrian Kurds in Kobane.

“It’s obvious that this play targets the peaceful environment in the east and southeast as well as the resolution process and our brotherhood,” Erdoğan said in a written statement Oct. 9.   

He added that the state would fight against those who commit violence and vandalism without any tolerance, especially at a time when the country is passing through a sensitive process.

Expressing his sorrow at the loss of lives in incidents in various cities, Erdoğan stressed that these incidents had nothing to do with the developments in Kobane, a Syrian town under the siege of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

“Launching violent acts in Turkey under the pretext of terror attacks against Kobane shows the real intention behind these moves,” Erdoğan said, vowing that Turkey would not allow such provocations aimed at affecting the country’s internal and external policies.

Blaming “dark circles” for the provocative acts in Turkey, the president called on all political parties not to act in a way that could promote violence, vandalism or chaos.

“It’s of great significance for our political parties to stand in a cautious and responsible manner in the face of these incidents. Those who use rhetoric that encourages violence, chaos and vandalism have the primary responsibility for the loss of lives and bloodshed,” he said.