Istanbul Bans Planned Anti-’ISIL’ Peace March

Local Editor

The Istanbul authorities on Saturday banned a planned anti-Takfiri "peace march" scheduled to take place in the Turkish metropolis this weekend, citing security and traffic congestion.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party [HDP] hoped to rally thousands on Sunday for the protest to condemn violence by "ISIL" Takfiris following a suicide bombing on Monday that killed 32.

But the Istanbul governor's office said in a statement that the rally had been banned due to "intense traffic" expected in the city and also "provocations" endangering security.

The HDP confirmed in a statement that it had been forced to cancel the rally but vowed that "our struggle for peace and democracy will continue."

Furthermore, there had been several anti-"ISIL" protests in Istanbul and other cities since Monday's bombing, often gathering hundreds of people. But many had been dispersed by police using water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas.

Demonstrators had also been bitterly critical of the Turkish government's policies on "ISIL", accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of allowing the group to gain a foothold in the country.

However, it remains possible that protesters will try to defy the official ban and hold a march Sunday.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team