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Reports: Blast strikes Turkish capital near military site; at least 5 killed Blast strikes military convoy in Turkish capital; at least 5 killed
(35 minutes later)
An apparent car bomb rocked Turkey’s capital Ankara on Wednesday, officials said, killing at five people in an attack near a military barracks. An apparent car bomb targeted a Turkish military convoy Wednesday, officials said, killing at least five people and leaving bodies and burning debris in the heart of the country’s capital.
The explosion came a month after deadly suicide blast in Istanbul’s main tourist district, an attack believed linked to the Islamic State. The explosion came a month after a deadly suicide blast near Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque, an attack believed linked to the Islamic State in attempts to cripple the country’s important tourism industry.
There was no immediate claim of responsibly for the latest explosion. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest violence. A Kurdish separatist faction also has waged attacks on the Turkish military.
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. A statement from the Ankara’s governor office said at 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. Some Turkish media reported higher death tolls, but there was no official confirmation.
Social media images showed smoke rising near the area of the blast. [Istanbul bloodshed also seeks to wound key tourism industry]
The regional governor, Mehmet Kiliclar, told private NTV television that the blast targeted a military convoy as it traveled near a compound used by Turkey’s armed forces. The area also is near Turkey’s parliament.
Flames spread across the roadway and smoke rose over the area. Turkey’s prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, canceled a planned trip to Brussels and joined authorities in an emergency security meeting in Ankara.
Turkey has been hit by several major attacks over the past year.Turkey has been hit by several major attacks over the past year.
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.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.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 member, 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.
The group, known as the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, has struck back against military sites and personnel in the past, but many of the attacks have been in southeastern Turkey, several hundred miles from Ankara, in the heartland for the Kurdish minority.
Turkey also has warned Kurds in Syria against attempts to seek territorial gains amid the country’s chaos. Turkish forces began cross-border shelling this week of Syrian Kurdish positions, claiming the fighters seek to tighten their grip along the frontier.
The Syrian Kurds, meanwhile, have received U.S. backing as part of the coalition against the Islamic State.
Read more:Read more:
Turkish opposition to Syrian Kurds complicates Western strategies
Biden decries Turkish political crackdowns
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