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Blast strikes military convoy in Turkish capital; at least 5 killed Blast strikes military convoy in Turkish capital; at least 20 killed
(35 minutes later)
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. An apparent car bomb targeted a Turkish military convoy Wednesday, officials said, killing at least 20 people, injuring dozens and leaving burning debris in the heart of the country’s capital.
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. The explosion in Ankara 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 Turkey’s important tourism industry.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest violence. A Kurdish separatist faction also has waged attacks on the Turkish military.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 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. Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu told reporters Wednesday that 20 or 21 people were killed in what he described as a bomb attack on buses carrying military personnel. A statement from the office of Ankara’s governor said at least 45 people were injured in the explosion. An earlier statement said the blast appeared to be a car bomb, the Associated Press reported.
Some Turkish media reported higher death tolls, but there was no official confirmation. The tally, however, did not distinguish between possible military and civilian casualties during the busy evening rush hour. If the toll is mostly military, it would mark one of the bloodiest attacks in years against Turkish forces.
[Istanbul bloodshed also seeks to wound key tourism industry][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. 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 close to 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.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 detonated 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 set off bombs outside Ankara’s main train station during a peace rally, killing about 100 people. Turkish officials said the attack also was linked to the Islamic State.
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. Turkey, a NATO member, has attempted to crack down on smuggling routes used by the Islamic State to supply its strongholds in neighboring Syria. Last year, Turkey also allowed U.S. 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.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. The outlawed 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 of the country’s 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. Turkey also has warned Kurds in Syria against attempts to seek territorial gains amid the chaos. Turkish forces began cross-border shelling this week of Syrian Kurdish positions, claiming that 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. The Syrian Kurds, meanwhile, have received U.S. backing as part of a coalition against the Islamic State.
Read more:Read more:
Turkish opposition to Syrian Kurds complicates Western strategiesTurkish opposition to Syrian Kurds complicates Western strategies
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