Turkey's nationalist leader warns supporters against ethnic clashes

ANKARA

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. AA Photo

The leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has warned its supporters not to "fall into the trap" of ethnic division, amid rising tension that has led to the killing of more than 20 people in protests in many Turkish provinces.

The protests over the Turkish government’s perceived failure to act against jihadists attacking the Syrian border city of Kobane have sparked street clashes between Kurdish and Turkish nationalists.

“Each member of the Nationalist-Ülkücü Movement will be vigilant and careful and will definitely stay clear of possible fights and clashes. My comrades who are in love with Turkey should know and see the cost of an ethnic flame that is being lit and how the separatists are waiting in ambush to deal a blow to the thousand-year-old fraternity and partnership of destiny,” Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said in a statement released Oct. 9.

“Ülkücü” means “Idealist” and is the name of the political movement supported by many MHP members.