Following a suicide bombing in Ankara, Turkey executed an airstrike on 20 targets in northern Iraq, as stated by its defence ministry. These targets were associated with the Kurdish militant group PKK, the organization that acknowledged carrying out the bombing.
Earlier on the same Sunday, an attack in Ankara led to injuries to two police officers. This incident occurred mere hours before the scheduled re-opening of parliament after its three-month summer recess. According to Turkey’s interior minister Ali Yerlikaya, two terrorists executed the attack. One lost their life in the explosion, and the other was neutralized in a subsequent gunfight with the police.
On the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, a spokesperson for the Turkish government elucidated: “At 9.00pm on 1 October, air operations targeted terrorist sites in Metina, Hakurk, Kandil, and Gara regions in northern Iraq. The strikes destroyed 20 sites, including caves, bunkers, and warehouses, believed to house those responsible for the bombings. Many terrorists were neutralized using domestic ammunition during these operations.”
Reinforcing Turkey’s unwavering stance against terrorism, they emphasized the nation’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety of its citizens. They further mentioned that every possible measure was taken to ensure civilian safety during the airstrike.
Adding to this sentiment, a spokesperson for President Recep Tayipp Erdogan stated: “The recent operations have dealt another significant blow to the terrorist organization. As our president stressed, those opposing Turkey will unexpectedly find our security forces closing in on them.”
Yilmaz Tunc, Turkey’s justice minister, announced an investigation into the “terror attack” and expressed resolute commitment towards fighting terrorism. He took to X to convey that such attacks will not deter Turkey’s anti-terrorism efforts.
This bombing is the first to impact Ankara in a while and follows an incident almost a year ago where an explosion in Istanbul led to six fatalities and left 81 injured.
