Islam Times - Turkish govt. bans commemorating Kahraman-marash massacre

Islam Times - This week is the 34th anniversary of Kahraman-marash massacre. The Alawite communities annually gather together in the city for commemoration of the brutal event, however this year the Turkish government has banned them from doing so. Police in riot gear blocked all the streets inside and outside the city.

In 1978 over a hundred Alawites were brutally and barbarically massacred in the city of Kahraman-marash, in southeast Turkey.

The attacks on the Alawite community started with two bombings. Two days later two Alawite teachers were killed on their way home. And also angry mobs allegedly led by an ultra-nationalist group accused of terrorism, carried out the killing and raping of hundreds of Alawite civilians.

The massacre lasted for seven days from December 19th to 26th while most of the atrocities took place on December 23rd. During the attacks, houses belonging to the Alawites were burned. Many offices including that of the Turkey’s Teachers Association, Association of Police Officers and the Republican People's Party were also destroyed.

According to official Turkish records 150 people were killed in the Massacare. Over 200 houses and 100 businesses were also destroyed during the violence.

Analysts say the Turkish government was involved in the massacre. The say the deep state group is the perpetrator. It is allegedly a group of influential figures within the Turkish political system, composed of intelligence services, as well as military, security, and judiciary officials.

Many people believe that their leaders shouldn't have banned the event, but rather joined it. They think that would be a major show of support for their fellow countrymen, as they commemorate a tragic event that shook the hearts of Turkey’s