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March 2016 Ankara bombing

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March 2016 Ankara bombing
Bus stops on Atatürk Boulevard, targets of the bombing
LocationKızılay, Ankara, Turkey
Date13 March 2016
about 18:35 (UTC+2)
TargetCivilians[1]
Attack type
Car bombing
Deaths37
Injured127
PerpetratorTAK[2]

On 13 March 2016, at 18:35 (EET), a bombing took place in Kızılay, Ankara,[3][4] in which at least 37 people were killed and 125 injured, with 19 being heavily injured.[5][6][7] According to Turkish authorities, a car laden with explosives was used for the attack,[6] which targeted buses carrying civilians.[8] The bombing took place on Atatürk Boulevard, near Güvenpark, at a point where several bus stops were located, and several buildings and cars were damaged.[9] According to initial reports, a bus was completely burned, along with many cars.[10] The area was subsequently evacuated as a precaution against the possibility of further attacks.[3]

Following the attack, Turkish authorities reportedly imposed media restrictions: journalists said some broadcast media were subject to a ban on covering aspects of the attack,[11] and the Turkish broadcasting authority RTÜK issued a ban on covering aspects of the explosion.[12] Analysts also said that access to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter was "extremely slow or blocked after the explosion" as social media in Turkey were reportedly blocked with the justification that they contained graphic images of the explosion.[11][13]

As reported by anti-government daily Sözcü, the Ministry of the Interior identified the assailant as Seher Çağla Demir, a Kurdish militant studying at Balıkesir University.[14] Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu initially referred to "very serious evidence" indicating that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was the perpetrator of the attack. A few days later, on 17 March 2016, however the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed responsibility, a group had already claimed the previous Ankara bombing in February. TAK however insisted that, like the previous bombing, the recent attack was aimed at security forces rather than at civilians.[2]

Background

The attack came at a time when Turkey was facing multiple security threats. It is a member of the coalition fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. There also is an ongoing conflict in the country's southeast with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), following the collapse of a truce in July 2015. This attack was the third major attack in Ankara in six months, less than a month earlier on 17 February, another bombing had killed 29 in central Ankara. That attack was claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK).[15][16]

Intelligence

On 27 February, Ankara Police conducted searches for a car bomb in the Kızılay area. There had been Turkish intelligence about 6 bomb-laden cars that were being prepared for an attack by the PKK and there was an active search at the time of the attack for these vehicles in eastern and southeastern Turkey.[17]

The United States embassy in Ankara had warned its citizens about a possible attack in the city on 11 March. However, the warning had indicated the Bahçelievler area as the likely site of the attack, which is located at the same district as Kızılay where the attack took place.[3][7] The Intelligence Department of the Turkish Armed Forces also reported in a document a "specific warning to a possible terror attack in Ankara, mentioning areas near the blast site of the explosion".[18]

Attack

The area where the attack occurred (right-head: Kızılay Square and Güvenpark)

The area hit serves as a transport hub in the city, where a number of bus lines meet.[16] A number of bus stops are present at the site, which is next to Güvenpark and next to the Kızılay Square, considered the heart of Ankara. It is one of the most crowded areas of Ankara with metro and Ankaray stations also having exits at the area. The Ministry of National Education, the Court of Cassation and the former Prime Ministry building are all close to the site of the bombing.[19]

A car bomb was used for the attack. According to the state channel, TRT, the car hit a bus carrying 20 civilians.[8] An eyewitness stated that while a bus, carrying 40 people, slowed down, the car exploded whilst going by it.[7] According to an official cited by Reuters, a BMW driven from the southeastern predominantly Kurdish-inhabited city of Viranşehir was used in the attack.[8] The bomb was packed with nails and pellets to maximise the damage.[20] The explosions could be heard from kilometers away and resulted in a shower of debris in an area extending for a few hundred meters.[8]

Perpetrator

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said that there was "very serious evidence" that suggested that PKK was responsible for the attack.[21] The Ministry of the Interior identified Seher Çağla Demir, a PKK affiliate studying at Balıkesir University, as the assailant. Demir was born in 1992 in Kağızman, Kars Province and had reportedly joined the organization in 2013. She was being tried, along with four others, for spreading PKK propaganda, and had allegedly crossed into Syria to be trained by the YPG.[22] According to her father, Demir's family had lost contact with her when she enrolled in Balıkesir University in 2012.[23] The claims about Demir's identity as the perpetrator were first reported by the newspaper Sözcü.[14] It has been claimed by the Turkish media that there was a male militant accompanying Demir. 11 people were arrested in connection to the attack, and arrest warrants issued for 10 others.[24] As PKK had only directly struck security forces during the period prior to the attack and claimed that it does not target civilians, The Guardian commented that if PKK claimed responsibility for the attack, it would represent a major tactical shift.[25]

According to Turkish media, the car used was a 1995 model BMW that had been stolen in Viranşehir on 10 January and taken that day to Diyarbakır. It reportedly had an Istanbul plate number, and was owned by an elderly woman. On 26 February, the car reportedly arrived in Ankara.[17]

On 17 March 2016, the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), that had also been responsible for the previous Ankara bombing in February, claimed responsibility for the attack. TAK also identified the bomber as Seher Çağla Demir.[26] While the group insisted killing civilians was not intended in an attack they said was aimed at security forces, they warned further civilian casualties were inevitable.[2] The location of the bombing was 10 to 20 metres from the closest police station.[26] The correspondent of France24 in Turkey commented on TAK's statement by saying "morally that holds no water because there were scores of civilians at that bus terminus".[26] TAK claims that it has split from the PKK, but it is controversial whether the groups are linked;[27] many sources consider TAK to be affiliated to the PKK.[26][28]

Reactions

Domestic

  • A security summit headed by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu convened after the attack.[29] After the summit, Efkan Ala, the Minister of the Interior, deplored the attack and said that although solid evidence had been reached about the perpetrators of the attack, a certain announcement would be made the next day.[30]
  • President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement, in which he said "terror is resorting to the most immoral and heartless ways" and "our citizens should not fear, for the fight against terrorism all our national institutions are carrying out in solidarity with the nation will indubitably end in success".[31]
  • Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), wrote that this was a "terrorist attack that should be condemned without saying 'but' or 'however'".[32]
  • The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) issued a statement condemning the attack. In the statement it shared "the huge pain felt along with our citizens".[33]
  • Devlet Bahçeli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party, wrote that "no terrorist attack can bring Turkey on its knees", that the Turkish nation was united against "the plans of the brutes, the calculations of the troublemakers and the merchants of death" and that "the hotbeds of treason will not only be humiliated, but will also pay for this".[34]
  • Protesters in Istanbul's Taksim Square attempted to hold a commemoration for the victims. The protesters were dispersed by the police using pepper spray and some protesters were arrested.[35]
  • Following the bombing, national mourning was not declared. Mahmut Tanal, a member of the parliament from the CHP, proposed three days of national mourning to the parliament.[36]
  • Abdülkadir Selvi, Ankara representative of the pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak, said "Yes, it hurts, but we have to learn to live with terror for a while" on the TV channel NTV. His words were widely criticized on social media.[37]
  • Pro-government newspaper Milat covered the attack only as a sub-heading on its main page. Its main story was the results of a poll that indicated majority support for the executive presidency of Erdoğan, with the title "President Erdoğan". The newspaper was heavily criticized as the topic became one of the most popular on Twitter.[38]

International

  •  Australia: Australia's Ambassador to Turkey, James Larsen, was in his car with his daughter about 20m from the explosion when the bomb went off on the other side of the traffic lights where they were stopped.[39] The Foreign Minister of Australia Julie Bishop spoke to the Ambassador soon after the incident, got his first hand report, and condemned the bombing.[40]
  •  Canada: Global Affairs Canada stated that "Canada is appalled by this latest, senseless attack in Ankara. Our thoughts are with our friend and ally Turkey.”[41][42]
  •  Egypt: A statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the bombing in Ankara, saying that the country “stands with the Turkish people at this critical moment", the statement further stressed the need for the “international community to stand side by side to confront the phenomenon of terrorism and uproot it”.[43]
  •  European Union: High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn sympathized with the people of Turkey in a joint statement and reiterated the union's commitment to enhance international efforts against terrorism.[44]
  •  Iran: Iran's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist explosion in Turkey's capital, Ankara, calling for a collective fight against terrorism. Hossein Ansari, spokesperson of the ministry further expressed Tehran's condolences to the Turkish government and nation and the bereaved families of the victims.[45]
  •  India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attacks and stated that his thoughts were with the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.[46][47]
  •  Philippines:The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the attack. The statement says "The Philippines condemns in the strongest possible terms the inhumane and dastardly terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Ankara, Turkey on 10 October 2015, who were gathering in support of peace. We share the grief and sorrow of the Turkish nation”. The statement also said that “The Philippines affirms its commitment to peace and adherence to the rule of law and, together with the international community, stands by Turkey in its fight against terrorism”.[48]
  •  Russia: In a statement made by spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack and sent condolences to the people of Turkey.[49]
  •  Spain: A statement was released which condemned the bomb attack.[50]
  •  Tunisia: Tunisia condemns the attack.[50]
  •  Ukraine: President Petro Poroshenko stated that he is "shocked with another horrible attack in Ankara", continuing: "Terror can't be justified, just be condemned. Ukraine stands with Turkey and its people".[51]
  •  United Kingdom: Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted "My thoughts are with all those affected," saying that he was "appalled" by the bombing.[52]
  •  United States: The White House released a statement condemning the terror attack. The statement said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those killed and injured as well as to their loved ones. This horrific act is only the most recent of many terrorist attacks perpetrated against the Turkish people”. The statement continued with: “The United States stands together with Turkey, a NATO ally and valued partner, as we confront the scourge of terrorism.”[42]

Aftermath

Following the attack, nine F-16s and four F-4s of the Turkish Air Force raided 18 PKK positions in Iraqi Kurdistan. The areas raided included the Qandil Mountains, the base of PKK leadership.[53] 36 suspected members of PKK or the affiliated Group of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK) were arrested in 45 different operations in Adana Province.[54] Overall, 79 people were taken into custody throughout the country.[21]

There was not a major response from the financial markets to the attack as the value of the Turkish lira receded slightly against US dollar. However, the deteriorating safety situation in Turkey caused major concerns about tourism and led to the analysis that the country is "not yet safe for long-term investors".[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Explosion in Ankara Kills at Least 34, Turkish Officials Say". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Ankara blast: Kurdish group TAK claims bombing". BBC News. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Turkey explosion: Reports of wounded in central Ankara". BBC News. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  4. ^ "People killed, wounded after blast in Ankara". Al Arabiya English. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Ankara explosion: At least 32 killed and 75 wounded after large blast in Turkish capital". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Ankara Kızılay'da bombalı saldırı: 34 ölü, 125 yaralı". NTV.
  7. ^ a b c Samuel Osborne (13 March 2016). "Ankara explosion: Several feared dead after 'large explosion' in park in Turkey capital". The Independent.
  8. ^ a b c d "Car bomb kills 27 in Turkish capital Ankara". Reuters. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  9. ^ staff, Guardian (13 March 2016). "Fatal explosion hits transit hub in Turkish capital Ankara". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Son dakika... Ankara Kızılay'da büyük patlama". 13 March 2016.
  11. ^ a b Worley, Will (13 March 2016). "Turkish government 'blocks Twitter and Facebook' as part of alleged media ban following Ankara blast". The Independent. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  12. ^ Reuters; Press, The Associated (13 March 2016). "At Least 27 Dead, 75 Wounded in Car Bombing in Turkish Capital". Haaretz. Retrieved 13 March 2016. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ "Sosyal medyaya erişim yasağı". NTV. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  14. ^ a b kaydin (14 March 2016). "Kadın bombacı üniversiteli Seher…".
  15. ^ "Ankara car bomb kills at least 27 people and wounds 75". Irish Times. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Car bomb targets busy hub in Turkey's capital; at least 27 die". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  17. ^ a b "Ankara'da patlatılan bombalı BMW Viranşehir'den geldi". T24. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  18. ^ "Turkish Minute, Turkish daily news, Latest News". www.turkishminute.com. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  19. ^ "Ankara'da patlama". Milliyet. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  20. ^ a b "ONE ANKARA BOMBER WAS A FEMALE PKK MEMBER: SECURITY SOURCES". Newsweek. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Turkish jets attack Kurds as Ankara bomb blamed on PKK". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  22. ^ "İçişleri Bakanlığı: Ankara saldırısının faili PKK'lı Seher Çağla Demir". T24. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Seher Çağla Demir'in babası konuştu". Vatan. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Polis, Ankara saldırısında 'üçüncü fail'in peşinde". T24. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  25. ^ "Ankara attack: one of bombers was PKK member, officials say". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  26. ^ a b c d "Kurdish militant group with ties to PKK claims Ankara bombing". France24. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  27. ^ "Kurdish militant group claims responsibility for Ankara suicide bombing". The New Arab. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  28. ^ "Kurdish group TAK claims responsibility for Ankara bombing". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  29. ^ "Ankara'daki bombalı saldırı sonrası güvenlik zirvesi sona erdi". T24. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  30. ^ "İçişleri Bakanı: Saldırıyı kimin düzenlediği yarın açıklanacak". T24. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  31. ^ "Terör en ahlaksız yollara başvuruyor". NTV. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Siyasilerden Ankara saldırısına kınama". NTV. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  33. ^ "The Latest: Pro-Kurdish Party Condemns Deadly Ankara Attack". Associated Press, The New York Times. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  34. ^ "MHP Lideri Bahçeli'den Ankara'daki saldırıya tepki". MHP. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  35. ^ "Taksim'deki Ankara protestosuna müdahale!". T24. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  36. ^ "CHP'den üç günlük ulusal yas teklifi". T24. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  37. ^ "Yeni Şafak Temsilcisi: Terörle yaşamaya alışmamız gerekiyor!". T24. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  38. ^ "Ankara saldırısını sürmanşette gören Milat ilan etti: Erdoğan başkan!". T24. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  39. ^ Ankara bombing: Australian ambassador to Turkey recounts chaotic blast scene, Amy Sherden, ABC News Online, 14 March 2016
  40. ^ Close call for Australian ambassador to Turkey, just metres from Ankara bomb attack, Emily Bourke, ABC News Online, 14 March 2016
  41. ^ "Foreign Policy CAN on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  42. ^ a b "Condemnation of Ankara terror attack grows". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Egypt 'stands by Turkish people' following Ankara blast". Ahram Online. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  44. ^ "Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn condemning this afternoon's bomb attack in Ankara". European External Action Service. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  45. ^ "Iran denounces deadly attack in Ankara". PressTV.
  46. ^ "Narendra Modi on Twitter". Twitter.
  47. ^ "PM Modi condemns multiple terror attacks in Ivory Coast, Ankara". The Times of India. 14 March 2016.
  48. ^ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/540340/news/nation/phl-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-ankara-turkey
  49. ^ "Russian President Putin Condemns Ankara Deadly Blast". Sputnik News. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  50. ^ a b "Condemnation of Ankara terror attack grows".
  51. ^ "Петро Порошенко on Twitter". Twitter.
  52. ^ "Ankara bombing: One of two suicide bombers in deadly attack was a woman, Turkey claims". The Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  53. ^ "Turkey launches airstrikes, raids after deadly Ankara bombing". CTV. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  54. ^ "GÜNCELLEME - Adana'da terör örgütü PKK/KCK operasyonu". Hürriyet. Retrieved 14 March 2016.

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