ANKARA
Turkish authorities condemned Monday the attacks against two offices of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) that injured three people.
Two simultaneous blasts occurred at the HDP’s provincial centers in southern Mersin and Adana provinces earlier Monday, causing damage to the buildings.
In a statement Monday, the HDP called for the perpetrators to be found and held responsible.
The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear. Local police have started an investigation into the incident.
"I have been briefed by the interior minister and have given the orders to make all necessary investigations to find out whoever is behind the attacks," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told an election rally in central Karaman province Monday.
"I am speaking as AK Party chairman and Turkish prime minister; no matter who incites violence in election campaigns and make any call for violence, the AK Party will be the first to stand against them," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu stressed that they will never allow provocative accusations against his government and party on the pretext of the assault.
"We have always been against violence; nobody can put the blame on us," he said.
Turkey is fast approaching parliamentary elections slated for June 7. The HDP is striving to pass a ten percent electoral threshold to gain seats in the parliament for the first time as a party.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek has also condemned the attacks as "provocations which aim to raise the political tension and disrupt social peace" at a time when elections are approaching.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik pointed to the blasts taking place simultaneously.
Celik said three people were injured but refused to give other details regarding the first findings, which he said he discussed at a meeting with governors, police chiefs, gendarmerie commanders, and regional intelligence chiefs.
He said that a special team was established with the aim of throwing light at the incident and its perpetrators.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan condemned the attack in a Twitter post, saying that it was provocateurs seeking to stir violence in the electoral process.
The HDP on Monday accused "dark forces supported by the ruling power" for trying to obstruct their election campaign.
It said that the "political responsibility" before all, goes to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Davutoglu and other members of Cabinet who "single out as target" the party, its co-chairman, managers, and deputy candidates.
Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that the "accusations against the president, prime minister, and government are not acceptable” at a time when even the nature and details of the attacks are not yet known.
He called on the HDP to wait for the incident to be clarified before making accusations.
"The attacks against any political party in Turkey are attacks carried out against all political parties in the country," Kalin said.
The HDP said Monday that as general elections are approaching, the attacks against their offices are rising.
As of Monday, the HDP’s offices, cars, members and supporters have been attacked in 60 locations, the party said.
It said that six managers and workers were injured in the attack against the HDP office in Adana.
The blast in Mersin comes at a day when the HDP was planning to hold an election rally in the southern province.
The co-chairman of the party, Selahattin Demirtas, said in a Twitter post Monday after the attack: "Today at 17:00 we will be in Mersin rally.
"We will be more enthusiastic, more cheerful, and with higher morale."
