How Erdogan’s personal ambitions impact war in Turkey’s southeast
Analysts say the time is ripe for the Turkish government and the PKK to talk peace, but such a move could get in the way of President Erdogan's political ambitions.
ANKARA, Turkey — Binali Yildirim had been prime minister only two weeks when suicide bombers from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and its affiliate, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, detonated two car bombs — one in Istanbul, one in Midyat, southeast Turkey. They killed 18 people.
“These days, the news comes, directly or indirectly, from the terrorist organization saying, ‘We can negotiate, we can lay down arms, we should talk,’” Yildirim told reporters. The government rebuffed the PKK because, he said, “There is nothing to discuss."
