But it received only 36 percent of the vote; a Kurdish party was next on the list, with 30 percent.

Kurdish parties have had a difficult time operating in Turkey.

Kurdish political parties today are not that different from the tribes of the 18th century.

Outside of the coalition are 14 illegal Kurdish political parties.

There has been no word from the authorities on how many, if any, casualties were suffered by the Kurdish party.

"There's some funding from the Kurdish parties in terms of the housing," he added.

The two Kurdish parties resume the fighting that broke out between them in 1996.

Kurdish parties have been at the forefront of efforts to build a federal democracy in Iraq.

Many say their first loyalty lies with a major Kurdish political party.

Difficult economic circumstances and a bitter war between Kurdish political parties in the mid-1990's caused many to want to leave.