Davutoglu urges unity as people protest after terror attack

Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has called for unity as people stage a protest rally against the Turkish government after a terrorist attack in the country.

“We are at a moment when everyone should stand shoulder to shoulder against this attack,” the Turkish prime minister said during a news conference in the capital Ankara on Monday after a deadly bombing in the town of Suruc near the border with Syria.

At least 31 people were killed in the explosion that rocked the Amara Culture Center of the Suruc Municipality. Davutoglu said that at least 104 people sustained injuries in the “atrocity”, adding that nine of them are in a critical condition.

"We face a terror act in which we will have to bring the perpetrators to account," he said, adding, "We are ready to take necessary measures against those who have responsibility and negligence for the attack, including mainly Daesh (ISIL)."

The Turkish prime minister further noted that initial investigations suggest that the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group perpetrated the bombing.

Backing Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Davutoglu said, "I am saying clearly again: the Republic of Turkey, AKP governments and the AKP have never supported or tolerated any terrorist organization."

His remarks came after Turkish protesters took to the streets in Istanbul, blaming the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the terrorist attack.

Shouting anti-government slogans and holding a placard reading, “Government massacre in Suruc- killer government”, the demonstrators marched on the city's Istiklal Avenue after the bombing.

“ISIL gangs will lose, our resisting people will win,” read another banner during the protest rally.

ISIL is currently fighting the governments in Syria and Iraq and is widely believed to be supported by the Turkish government. 

The attack in Suruc would be the terrorist group's first strike on Turkish soil.

“It is not the day to align the AKP and the Turkish government with Daesh in line with the aspirations of some international circles,”  Davutoglu Said, adding, “It is the day to raise your voice against terror.”

Hundreds also gathered near Istanbul's central Taksim Square after the incident. Turkish police fired teargas and used water cannon to disperse the demonstrators.

Reports say the bombing targeted activists of the Socialist Youth Associations Federation, who had gathered at the center before heading for Kobani to help the people there in rebuilding the town on which the ISIL Takfiri group has wreaked havoc.

In January, Kurdish forces pushed the ISIL out of Kobani after four months of fierce fighting.

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