Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Explosion Near Ruling Party HQ in Eastern Turkey

by VOA News

   Turkish media said Monday an explosion in the southeastern city of Van
   wounded at least 11 people.

   The blast happened in an area between the local offices of the ruling
   AKP party and the governor's office.

   It was not immediately clear who was responsible.

   The explosion came a day after the government dismissed 28 mayors in
   the mainly Kurdish southeast because of alleged ties to the outlawed
   Kurdistan Workers' Party.

   President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday the officials should have
   been removed from their posts long ago.

   Ambulances have rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals and many police
   and firetrucks have been dispatched to the area.

   Turkey has suffered a string of attacks in recent months from both
   Kurdish militants linked with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party or
   PKK as well as from the Islamic State, resulting in dozens of
   casualties.

   Some material for this report from the Associated Press.