Turkish soldiers killed in blast

SBS World News Radio: A car bomb has killed seven police officers and wounded nearly 30 other people in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir.

Turkish soldiers killed in blastTurkish soldiers killed in blast

Turkish soldiers killed in blast

A car bomb has killed seven police officers and wounded nearly 30 other people in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir.

Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the attack during a visit to the United States.

Authorities say a parked car filled with explosives had been detonated by remote control as a minibus carrying police officers turned a corner on a busy street in Diyarbakir.

Seven officers were killed, with another 13 wounded.

(Translated) "I was startled by the sound of a big explosion while on my way home. After parking my car and getting out to see what had happened, I saw smoke coming from close to my house. While I was going through the area nearby, I saw broken glass all over the place and saw that the buildings and a large area were damaged."

So far, no one has claimed responsibility.

It comes just before Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu was due to visit the mostly Kurdish region.

The region has been overrun by violence since a ceasefire between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party and the government collapsed last year.

The government says it has killed thousands of militants since then.

However, an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party has claimed responsibility for two car bomb attacks earlier this year in the capital Ankara.

During his visit to the United States for a nuclear security summit, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced the attack.

(Translated) "As we corner the terrorist organisations, they show their heinous face through these kinds of attacks. With the support of our people and resolve of our security forces, God willing, we will make sure that terrorism is no longer an obstacle to the progress of our country."

Mr Erdogan's remarks have come during a speech at the Brookings Institute in Washington.

But upon arriving, he was greeted by scores of Kurdish-American protesters denouncing his policies in Turkey and calling him a murderer and a terrorist.

Human rights groups like Amnesty International have been demanding Turkey address human rights violations against its Kurdish population.

Along with accusations of corruption and imprisoning his political rivals, Mr Erdogan is also accused of cracking down on press freedom in the country.

At one stage, his appearance at the Brookings Institute was nearly cancelled after his security detail tried to remove a Turkish journalist.

Another Turkish journalist claims he was kicked by bodyguards and prevented from attending, while a third says she was verbally abused.

But even in the face of such controversy, Mr Erdogan remained defiant.

(Translated) "In terms of criticism, I have no problems with anybody whatsoever, but, when it comes to insult and defamation, of course, I have problems. I will thank each and every one of those who criticise me, but, if they were to insult me, my lawyers will go and file a lawsuit."

Mr Erdogan's warning comes amid reports the Turkish military is planning to carry out a coup against him while he is out of the country.

The army has denied the claims.

Turkey's army is historically seen as a defender of secular principles, ousting three elected governments and one prime minister.

But its power has been reduced in recent years, thanks to a succession of legal cases brought on by Mr Erdogan.

 






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