The assault that challenges Turkey

On July 20, Turkey was shocked by a heinous attack. A bomb exploded in the town of Suruç in Şanlıurfa province during a meeting organized by about 300 young people who were preparing for a journey to provide aid to Kobani. As I was writing this article, the number of casualties was 30, while more than 100 people were injured. The numbers might increase. Sources have reported that the attack was caused by a suicide bomber.

Although it is not certain yet, the Islamic State of Iran and al-Sham (ISIS) may be the actor being behind this attack. The victimized youth were proponents of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the outlawed PKK, who were getting ready to start a journey to aid the PYD. ISIS may have challenged them. But more than that, it may have also tried to intimidate Turkey in this way for the first time.

Lately, Turkey has taken strict measures to increase its border security in the face of the ISIS threat. It has made a tremendous effort to prevent border crossings and organized custodies targeting ISIS proponents inside the country. Presumably, the organization has intensified its reaction to Turkey. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that ISIS is now in decline in Syria and Iraq. After the fall of Kobani and Tal Abyad, it feels stuck. Influenced by all these factors, it might not hesitate to challenge Turkey and try to drag the country into the war. It may be trying to threaten Turkey under the guise of sending a message to the PYD.It is possible that the organization is covertly warning Ankara about its policies regarding the PYD. As the current picture in Kobani suggests, Turkey is playing an obvious role in the defeat of ISIS in the region. On the other hand, ISIS may also try to stir up conflict by setting different groups at odds.

We are in a dangerous phase. The explosion in Suruç is likely to create chaos. ISIS proponents who have snuck into the country will probably endeavor to create tension between the PKK and other groups. One of their targets is the reconciliation process. If they hamper the process, Turkey might find itself in the midst of a civil war.

For all these reasons, everyone should act with common sense and in a calm manner. Politicians and the media have critical duties in this respect. In particular, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) should avoid any aggressive and polarizing language. It must keep the youth in its base away from the streets. The memories of the incidents that took place on Oct. 6 and 7 on the pretext of the fighting in Kobani are still fresh. During those incidents, the HDP nearly provoked the youth to pour onto the streets, let alone playing a role in quelling the riots. We all witnessed how many lives were claimed due to this attitude.

Now, messages to quell this tense atmosphere should be issued. ISIS will have a hard time attaining its goals if the prime minister, government officials, the HDP co-chairs and officials of other parties act with an integrative manner. So a critical test awaits Turkey now. If we remember to form a "we" after a long while and can assess this attack as a supra-political assault and assume that it actually targets all of us, then we can disappoint those who are attempting to turn this country into Syria.