11 October 2015

Suicide bombings kill 95 people at Ankara peace rally

Bodies of victims are covered with flags and banners as police officers secure the area after an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions apparently targeting a peace rally in Turkey's capital Ankara on Saturday has killed many people a news agency and witnesses said. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's train station as people gathered for the rally organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union.
Nearly simultaneous explosions targeted a Turkish peace rally Saturday in Ankara, killing at least 95 people and wounding hundreds in Turkey's deadliest attack in years — one that threatens to inflame the nation's ethnic tensions.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said there were "strong signs" that the two explosions — which struck 50 meters (yards) apart just after 10 a.m. — were suicide bombings. He suggested that Kurdish rebels or Islamic State group militants were to blame.

The two explosions occurred seconds apart outside the capital's main train station as hundreds of opposition supporters and Kurdish activists gathered for the peace rally organized by Turkey's public workers' union and other groups. The protesters planned to call for increased democracy in Turkey and an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
The attacks Saturday came at a tense time for Turkey, a NATO member that borders war-torn Syria, hosts more refugees than any other nation in the world and has seen renewed fighting with Kurdish rebels that has left hundreds dead in the last few months.
Many people at the rally had been anticipating that the rebels of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, would declare a temporary cease-fire — which it did hours after the bombing — to ensure that Turkey's Nov. 1 election would be held in a safe environment.
Bodies of victims are covered with flags and banners as a police officer secure the area after an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions apparently targeting a peace rally in Turkey's capital Ankara on Saturday has killed many people a news agency and witnesses said. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's train station as people gathered for the rally organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union.

Television footage from Turkey's Dogan news agency showed a line of protesters Saturday near Ankara's train station, chanting and performing a traditional dance with their hands locked when a large explosion went off behind them. An Associated Press photographer saw several bodies covered with bloodied flags and banners that demonstrators had brought for the rally.
"There was a massacre in the middle of Ankara," said Lami Ozgen, head of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, or KESK.
The state-run Anadolu Agency said the attacks were carried out with TNT explosives fortified with metal ball-bearings.
Turkey's government late Saturday raised the death toll in the twin bomb blasts to 95 people killed, 248 wounded. It said 48 of the wounded were in serious condition.
Selcuk Atalay of the Turkish Medical Association's Ankara branch put the death toll at at least 97 and feared the toll could rise even higher, since several of the wounded were in serious condition with burns.
"This massacre targeting a pro-Kurdish but mostly Turkish crowd could flame ethnic tensions in Turkey," said Soner Cagaptay, an analyst at the Washington Institute.
Abdulhamit Bilici, editor-in-chief of Zaman newspaper, speaks to the media minutes before police detain Bulent Kenes, editor-in-chief of Today's Zaman, right, in his office in Istanbul, Turkey, late Friday, Oct. 9, 2015. Police have detained the chief editor of opposition English-language newspaper for posting a series of tweets critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Kenes was taken away from the newspaper's headquarters in Istanbul on Friday, as several supporters chanted: "Free media cannot be silenced!" The detention was televised live.

Cagaptay said the attack could be the work of groups "hoping to induce the PKK, or its more radical youth elements, to continue fighting Turkey," adding that the Islamic State group would benefit most from the full-blown Turkey-PKK conflict.
"(That) development could make ISIS a secondary concern in the eyes of many Turks to the PKK," Cagaptay said in emailed comments, using another acronym for IS militants.
Small anti-government protests broke out at the scene of the explosions and outside Ankara hospitals as Interior Minister Selami Altinok visited the wounded. Some demonstrators chanted "Murderer Erdogan!" — referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom many accuse of increasing tensions with Kurds to profit at the ballot box in November. Erdogan denies the accusations.
Later Saturday, thousands gathered near Istanbul's main square denouncing the attacks and also holding the government responsible.
The Turkish government imposed a temporary news blackout covering images that showed the moment of the blasts, gruesome or bloody pictures or "images that create a feeling of panic." A spokesman warned media organizations they could face a "full blackout" if they did not comply.
Many people reported being unable to access Twitter and other social media websites for several hours after the blasts. It was not clear if authorities had blocked access to the websites, but Turkey often does impose blackouts following attacks.
A Kurdish demonstrator in Paris, cries as she and others gather after an explosion at a rally in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.

At a news conference, Davutoglu declared a three-day official mourning period for the blast victims and said Turkey had been warned about groups aiming to destabilize the country.
"For some time, we have been receiving intelligence information based from some (Kurdish rebel) and Daesh statements that certain suicide attackers would be sent to Turkey... and that through these attackers chaos would be created in Turkey," Davutoglu told reporters, using the IS group's Arabic acronym.
"The (Kurdish rebels) or Daesh could emerge (as culprits) of today's terror event," Davutoglu said, promising that those behind the attacks would be caught and punished.
Davutoglu said authorities had detained at least two suspected would-be suicide bombers in the past three days in Ankara and Istanbul.
Authorities had been on alert after Turkey agreed to take a more active role in the U.S.-led battle against the Islamic State group. Turkey opened up its bases to U.S. aircraft to launch air raids on the extremist group in Syria and carried out a limited number of strikes on the group itself. Russia has also entered the fray on behalf of the Syrian government recently, bombing sites in Syria and reportedly violating Turkish airspace a few times in the past week.
A Kurdish demonstrator in Paris, cries as she and others gather after an explosion at a rally in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.

On a separate front, the fighting between Turkish forces and Kurdish rebels flared anew in July, killing at least 150 police and soldiers and hundreds of PKK rebels since then. Turkish jets have also carried out numerous deadly airstrikes on Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq.
Erdogan condemned Saturday's attacks, which he said targeted the country's unity, called for solidarity and canceled a planned visit Monday to Turkmenistan.
"The greatest and most meaningful response to this attack is the solidarity and determination we will show against it," Erdogan said.
President Barack Obama offered condolences to Erdogan in a phone call Saturday. The White House said in a statement that Obama affirmed that the U.S. will stand with Turkey in the fight against terrorism.
Critics have accused Erdogan of re-igniting the fighting with the Kurds to seek electoral gains — hoping that the turmoil would rally voters back to the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP. Electoral gains by the country's pro-Kurdish party caused the AKP, founded by Erdogan, to lose its parliamentary majority in a June election after a decade of single-party rule.
The attacks Saturday, which even surpassed twin al-Qaida-linked attacks in Istanbul in 2003 that killed some 60 people, also drew widespread condemnation from Turkey's allies.
Turkey's state-run news agency said President Barack Obama called Erdogan to extend his condolences. The Anadolu Agency, citing unnamed officials, said Obama told Erdogan the United States would continue to side with Turkey in the fight against terrorism. It quoted Obama as saying the U.S. "shared Turkey's grief."
Kurdish demonstrators in Paris, react, after an explosion at a rally in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.

Erdogan earlier said the twin bombings aimed to destroy Turkey's "peace and stability." Anadolu said the two leaders agreed to talk more in the coming days.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent her condolences, calling the attacks "particularly cowardly acts that were aimed directly at civil rights, democracy and peace."
"It is an attempt at intimidation and an attempt to spread fear," she said. "I am convinced that the Turkish government and all of Turkish society stands together at this time with a response of unity and democracy."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said "there can be no justification for such a horrendous attack on people marching for peace... All NATO allies stand united in the fight against the scourge of terrorism."
Saturday was the third attack against meetings of Kurdish activists. In July, a suicide bombing blamed on the Islamic State group killed 33 peace activists, including many Kurds, in the town of Suruc near Turkey's border with Syria. Two people were killed in June in a bomb attack at the pro-Kurdish party's election rally.
Kurdish demonstrators in Paris, France, gather after an explosion at a rally in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.

"This attack (Saturday) resembles and is a continuation of the Diyarbakir and Suruc (attacks)," said Selahattin Demirtas, leader of the Turkey's pro-Kurdish party. He held Erdogan and Davutoglu's government responsible for the latest attack, saying it was "carried out by the state against the people."
In the aftermath of the Ankara attack, the PKK declared a temporary cease-fire. A rebel statement said Saturday the group is halting hostilities to allow the Nov. 1 election to proceed safely. It said it would not launch attacks but would defend itself.
The government has said there would be no letup in its fight against the Kurdish rebels.
"Our operations (against the PKK) will continue until they lay down arms," Davutoglu said late Friday. 
(AP)  
Kurdish demonstrators in Paris, France, gather after an explosion at a rally in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Kurdish demonstrators in Paris, France, gather after an explosion at a rally in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces. 
People carry a victim at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
People carry a victim at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.  
Bodies of victims are covered with flags and banners at the scene of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for the rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Bodies of victims are covered with flags and banners at the scene of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for the rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.        
People tend to a victim at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for the rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
People tend to a victim at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for the rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces. 
A wounded man awaits medical attention at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for the rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
A wounded man awaits medical attention at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for the rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces. 
In this image made from video, participants in a peace rally react as an explosion happens behind them, in Ankara, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two explosions on Saturday targeted a peace rally by opposition supporters and Kurdish activists in Ankara, killing 86 people and wounding 186. The moment of one of the blast was caught on camera. Turkey's prime minister says the attacks likely were suicide bombings. Ahmet Davutoglu also declared a three-day official mourning period for the victims.
In this image made from video, participants in a peace rally react as an explosion happens behind them, in Ankara, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two explosions on Saturday targeted a peace rally by opposition supporters and Kurdish activists in Ankara, killing 86 people and wounding 186. The moment of one of the blast was caught on camera. Turkey's prime minister says the attacks likely were suicide bombings. Ahmet Davutoglu also declared a three-day official mourning period for the victims.     
Map locates Ankara, Turkey site of a deadly explosion.
Map locates Ankara, Turkey site of a deadly explosion.             
Relatives of people wounded at the explosions in Ankara, Turkey, react as they wait news for their loved ones outside a hospital, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Relatives of people wounded at the explosions in Ankara, Turkey, react as they wait news for their loved ones outside a hospital, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.          
Relatives of people wounded at the explosions in Ankara, Turkey, react as they wait news for their loved ones outside a hospital, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Relatives of people wounded at the explosions in Ankara, Turkey, react as they wait news for their loved ones outside a hospital, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.           
People wheel a wounded woman at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
People wheel a wounded woman at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.        
Wounded people wait for help at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Wounded people wait for help at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.          
Mayor of Diyarbakir and President of the Union of South East Anatolia Region Municipalities Osman Baydemir , center, arrives at a Kurdish demonstration in Paris, in response to the explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Mayor of Diyarbakir and President of the Union of South East Anatolia Region Municipalities Osman Baydemir , center, arrives at a Kurdish demonstration in Paris, in response to the explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Turkey's health minister says two bomb explosions in the Turkish capital have killed scores of people. The explosions occurred minutes apart near Ankara's main train station as people were gathering for a rally, organized by the country's public sector workers' trade union and other civic society groups. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.             
Demonstrators gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.             
Demonstrators gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The banner reads in Turkish: "Labour Youth". Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The banner reads in Turkish: "Labour Youth". Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.          
Demonstrators gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.               
Demonstrators chant slogans and flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The banner reads in Turkish: "Labour Youth". Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators chant slogans and flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The banner reads in Turkish: "Labour Youth". Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.       
Demonstrators hold banners as they gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators hold banners as they gather during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.        
A demonstrator, center, weeps as people flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions apparently targeting a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
A demonstrator, center, weeps as people flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. The two bomb explosions apparently targeting a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, has killed dozens of people and injured scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.   
Demonstrators flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
Demonstrators flash the V-sign during a rally to protest against the bombing in Ankara earlier, in central Istanbul, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Thousands of protestors flooded the main street in central Istanbul shouting slogans condemning the twin bombings that killed dozens of people in nation¹s capital. The two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, that was aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.             
A Turkish police forensic officer works at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.
A Turkish police forensic officer works at the site of an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015. Two bomb explosions targeted a peace rally, organised by the country's public sector workers' trade union, in the Turkish capital killing dozens of people and injuring scores of others. The rally aimed to call for an end to the renewed violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.