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Reports: Powerful blast strikes Turkish capital near military site Reports: Blast strikes Turkish capital near military site; at least 5 killed
(35 minutes later)
A powerful explosion rocked Turkey’s capital on Wednesday, sending a plume of smoke rising over Ankara as police and rescue workers raced to the scene. An apparent car bomb rocked Turkey’s capital Ankara on Wednesday, officials said, killing at five people in an attack near a military barracks.
There were no immediate reports of casualties in the blast, which Turkey’s Dogan news agency said occurred near military barracks. The site also is not far from Turkey’s Parliament. The explosion came a month after deadly suicide blast in Istanbul’s main tourist district, an attack believed linked to the Islamic State.
Police were investigating the cause of the explosion, the Associated Press reported. Social media images showed smoke rising near the area of the blast. There was no immediate claim of responsibly for the latest explosion.
A statement from the Ankara’s governor office said least five people were killed and 10 injured in the explosion in Ankara. The statement said the blast appeared to be a car bomb, the Associated Press reported.
Turkey’s Dogan news agency said the blast occurred near military barracks. The site also is not far from Turkey’s Parliament.
Social media images showed smoke rising near the area of the blast.
Turkey has been hit by several major attacks over the past year.Turkey has been hit by several major attacks over the past year.
In October, two suicide attackers detonated bombs outside Ankara’s main train station during a peace rally, killing more than 100 people. Turkish officials claim the attack was linked to the Islamic State. On Jan. 12, a suicide bomber believed linked to the Islamic State donated a blast in the heart of Istanbul’s tourist district, killing at least 10 people — all members of a German tour group.
In October, two suicide attackers detonated bombs outside Ankara’s main train station during a peace rally, killing about 100 people. Turkish officials claim the attack also was linked to the Islamic State.
Turkey, a NATO ally, has attempted to crack down on smuggling routes used to by the Islamic State for its strongholds in Syria. Last year, Turkey also allowed American warplanes to use a base near the Syrian border for airstrikes against Islamic State targets.Turkey, a NATO ally, has attempted to crack down on smuggling routes used to by the Islamic State for its strongholds in Syria. Last year, Turkey also allowed American warplanes to use a base near the Syrian border for airstrikes against Islamic State targets.
At the same time, Turkey has stepped up military operations against separatist Kurdish factions in the country, and has warned Kurds in Syria against attempts to seek territorial gains amid the country’s chaos.At the same time, Turkey has stepped up military operations against separatist Kurdish factions in the country, and has warned Kurds in Syria against attempts to seek territorial gains amid the country’s chaos.
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