Bomb explosions have been reported at the offices of the Peoples Democracy Party (HDP) in the southern cities of Mersin and Adana. The explosion in Adana took place this morning at the HDP office in Cemal Gürsel street. HDP Seyhan district Co-chair Hüseyin Beyaz said 4 people had been injured in the attack, including party administrators İbrahim Yakut and Selahattip Pişkin. The fire brigade extinguished a fire that had broken out and the injured were taken to hospital. The building was badly damaged and windows in nearby buildings were smashed by the effects of the explosion.

While police took precautions outside the building, there was tension between them and a group that arrived.

Mersin HDP Co-chair Didar Gül said that the bomb that exploded in the Mersin HDP office was probably hidden in a flower pot containing a plant sent to the office yesterday. She said the plant had been placed on the balcony where the explosion took place, adding that it was no coincidence that the blast had occurred on the day the HDP is holding an election rally in the city.

Mersin HDP candidate Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat said: “Despite all the incitement and provocation we shall continue to maintain our composure. Yesterday we had a rally in Adana and today we have a rally in Mersin. The fact the explosions took place simultaneously shows this was planned. There have been many attacks on our party, as certain people fear we will exceed the threshold. But there is no point in fearing the inevitable. The government is behind all these attacks. If the state cannot protect its citizens and is moreover inviting attacks then its crimes are multiplied.”