Over 100,000 turn up at Erdogan rally against ‘terrorism’

More than 100,000 people, many waving
Turkish flags attended an “anti-terrorism” rally in Istanbul
Sunday, AFP reporters estimated, as President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan presses a major offensive against Kurdish rebels.
The huge crowd thronged Yenikapi Square on the shores of
the Marmara Sea for the demonstration, which was to
culminate with an address by Erdogan.

On Thursday, thousands took part in a similar rally in the
capital Ankara to denounce the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK), which has killed dozens of police and soldiers in a
string of attacks in the mainly Kurdish southeast since the
collapse of a two-year cease-fire in July.

Many of the demonstrators wore red headbands that
eulogized the slain security force members as “martyrs.”
“Martyrs never die, the homeland cannot be divided,” the
headbands read.

No political emblems were visible among the sea of red
Turkish flags in Istanbul but many of the demonstrators
expressed fervent support for Erdogan’s Justice and
Development Party (AKP).

“We will support Erdogan to the end. We are behind him
because he defends our flag and our nation,” Gunel Yildiz, a
43-year-old textile industry worker, who carried a giant
Turkish flag, told AFP.

“Believe me the terrorists won’t return to Parliament,” Alev
Akmurat, a 22-year-old student said. “The AKP will regain
power, God willing,” he added.

Arabnews