Clashes between university students after protest against attacks on Atatürk statues

İZMİR - Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

Clashes erupted between rival student groups on Oct. 17 at Ege University in the Aegean province of İzmir.

A group of students had gathered at the campus to condemn attacks on Atatürk statues and Turkish flags during protests against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) that recently erupted across the country.

The group, including members of the Community of Kemalist Thought, issued a press statement, saying the assaults were open attempts at provocation.

“Today, the most important value to embrace is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The point to unite us is under the Turkish flag. There is unity, peace and brotherhood where Atatürk and the Turkish flag exist,” the group said, adding that the only way to prevent Turkey from sliding into chaos is joining hands with Atatürk and the flag.

However, soon after giving this message of unity rival students began shouting slogans in reaction to the press statement. The tension boiled over as some students on both sides began to throw stones and others brandished sticks and knives.

The police forces that had been deployed to the campus before the press statement was released fired tear gas to disperse the quarreling groups.