Casualties reported as blasts hit Turkish opposition party offices May 18, 2015 - 12:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Casualties have been reported after simultaneous explosions hit two local headquarters of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in the southern Turkish provinces of Adana and Mersin on Monday, May 18, according to Hurriyet Daily News. A loud explosion rocked the second floor of the building where HDP's provincial HQ is based in Adana at the same time as an explosion at the party's Mersin branch. Eyewitnesses said there were casualties. According to the HDP headquarters in Ankara, the explosion in Adana occurred in the cargo room of its local branch. In its Mersin branch, a flower bouquet that was sent Sunday exploded when it was unpacked. Citing Mersin police chief Rahmi Baştuğ, Turkey's semi-official Anadolu Agency said that the explosion in Mersin occurred in the kitchen of the HDP's local branch. HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş was set to hold a campaign rally in Mersin on Moday, ahead of the June 7 general election. The incident marks the latest in a number of attacks against HDP offices across Turkey. The HDP says it has been exposed to 56 attacks over the course of just one month across Turkey, according to the Dicle News Agency. These attacks include attempts to target 16 election bureaus, and two of the attacks were armed.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
