Attack on aid group linked to Kurdish Islamist party triggers riots in Turkey; 3 killed

The Associated Press

Youths ride a motorcycle past Turkish police vehicles blocking an area, in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, June 9, 2015. Armed attackers in southeast Turkey killed the head of an aid organization linked to a Kurdish Islamist party on Tuesday, triggering rioting that led to the death of two other people, officials said. A policeman and two journalists covering the incident in city of Diyarbakir were injured, according to the regional governor’s office. There was no information on the two other victims. (AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Armed attackers in southeast Turkey killed the head of an aid organization linked to a Kurdish Islamist party on Tuesday, triggering rioting that led to the death of two other people, officials said.

A policeman and two journalists covering the incident in the city of Diyarbakir were injured, according to the regional governor's office. It didn't provide any more information about those killed.

The motive for the attack was not known. It comes two days after a pro-Kurdish party made a strong showing in Turkey's parliamentary election.

Relations between the supporters of the two Kurdish groups — the Islamist Huda Par and the People's Democratic Party — are tense.

However, the People's Democratic Party strongly condemned the attack, suggesting it was an act of provocation aiming to fuel further enmity between the groups.

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