A bomb attack by Kurdish militants killed a police officer in southeast Turkey on Friday and another device was defused outside a local government building, as embassies issued security warnings about expected demonstrations this weekend.
Turkey has been on high alert since a suicide bombing, claimed by a Kurdish militant group, killed 37 people in the capital Ankara on Sunday. Germany shut down its diplomatic missions and schools in Turkey, while the U.S. and other European embassies warned citizens to be vigilant.
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants were believed to have staged Friday’s attack on the armoured police vehicle during security operations in the town of Nusaybin, near the Syrian border, security sources said.
In the town of Hani, also in the mainly Kurdish southeast, police found a vehicle loaded with 150 kg (330 lb) of explosives which they believed was to be detonated during events to mark the anniversary of a World War One battlefield victory at Canakkale on Friday, state authorities said.
“Thanks to the alertness of security forces, there was no loss of life or damage. Efforts to ensure peace and security for our people will continue decisively and uninterrupted,” the provincial governor’s office said.