what's going on over there?

My sister asked me if I was scared via text at five in the morning.

I may be in denial, but I wasn't.  But whereas the bombing a month ago I was quite separated from mentally as my whole focus was on our newborn - this time I am sharing the heartbreak a lot more.  It may be postpartum hormones - but tears are coming easily when I hear sirens, see clips or pictures, or read words I half understand.

Am I scared?  America is just as scary, in a different way.  The danger here is more tangible - but the danger everywhere is just as uncontrollable and unpredictable.  I'm just more aware of it here.

What's going on over there?  Another friend asked.  Well here's my horribly simple and not so educated summary that I'm sure my husband will correct or add to later:

We live in a strategic location - a Westernized country, sort of democratic, and Muslim.  The go-between in more ways than one.  But Turkey some Turkish are Kurdish, and for the last thirty years or so have been fighting for their independence.   This group of people, a political party called the PKK has claimed or been accredited for various terrorist acts.  Two and half years ago, the fighting began again - mostly in the southeast of Turkey, mostly on military, and probably being encouraged by the war and gains of Kurds in Syria.  The US has labeled the PKK as a terrorist group, but they are supporting Syria's equivalent group - which Turkey is not happy about.  Turkey has been actively attacking Kurdish military camps.  Turkey's government isn't so nobel though - and some have questioned whether the ruling party is behind some attacks in order to recruit sympathy and favor for their side while proving the other side to be dangerous and justify military responses.

First it was at a peace rally outside of train station on a Saturday morning, than it was a military bus on a Tuesday night.  But why a city center was targeted on a Sunday night?  A place that is a major transfer point for public transportation, a time when families are going home and young people are going out?

I don't know.