'Turkey to stand firm for public security,' says deputy PM

KIRIKKALE, Turkey

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan said on Sunday that the state "will stand firm to ensure public order and security," referring to Saturday's clashes between pro and anti-PKK groups, which killed three people.

The clashes, which started at 3.00 am (0100GMT) Saturday in Cizre town of Turkey's southeastern Sirnak province, killed Yasin Ozer, Abdullah Deniz and Baris Dalmis and left three others -- Nedim Kultur, Hakim Budak and Hekim Kasirga -- injured.

Late on Saturday, a group of masked people in Silopi town in Sirnak province protested the Cizre clashes and closed off the Ipekyolu road to vehicles.

Two people, Musa Azma and Mahsun Bilen, were injured in the protests and police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the groups. 

Stressing the state's strength to ensure the security of life and property, Akdogan said: "Regardless of the place, whether in Silopi, Cizre or somewhere else, the police and army will be there to protect the citizens." 

He said all such provocations were aimed at harming the country's "solution process." 

Pointing to similar clashes and protests erupted earlier in October resulting in some 40 deaths, Akdogan said whenever there is progress in the solution process, such provocations appear. "Some circles want to see that Turkey cannot find a solution," he claimed. 

The Turkish government’s "solution process" was launched in 2013 and aims to bring an end to the decades-long conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party PKK, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The Turkish Deputy PM added that they expected various "games" prior to the country's general election which is due to be held in 2015.  

"It will be a historic election," Akdogan stressed, saying if his AK Party wins, it will mean "All the conspiracy plans against Turkey will fail."

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also said on Sunday that Cizre clashes were "all provocations which were not only aimed at the state but also intended to cause anger between different political groups."

Davutoglu advised people to be calm, and said: "We will not tolerate those who want to transport the clashes and unrest outside Turkey into our country, especially to the border provinces."

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