GAZIANTEP, Turkey — A festive rumble echoed through the mainly Kurdish neighborhood of Beybahce in Gaziantep late on Aug. 20, belying the impending carnage. A “henna night” — a traditional party preceding weddings — was underway in the streets, attended mostly by women and children. Kurdish folk dances were in full swing and the henna ceremony was just to begin when an explosion ended the music. A suicide bomber had blown himself up among the crowd, leaving behind a bloodbath, with torn body parts littering the ground and people screaming for help.

The style and target of the attack pointed to the Islamic State, and Turkish officials soon singled out the jihadist group as the perpetrator.

The aftermath of the bombing was marked by anger and indignation among Kurds — anger because it was the latest in a string of IS-linked attacks targeting Kurdish civilians in Turkey, and indignation at what they felt was some Turks gloating at their plight. To amplify the grief, most of the 55 victims were children, and a small red shoe pictured among the debris became a poignant symbol of the tragedy.

The family hosting the party were identified as sympathizers of the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), adding a political dimension, and some have accused HDP lawmakers of exploiting the tragedy.