Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
The aftermath of yesterday's Ankara bombing. Associated Press
Bomb Blast
Bomber who killed 28 people in Ankara was Syrian national - Turkey PM
Nine people have been detained over the attack, in which 61 people were injured.
TURKISH PRIME MINISTER Ahmet Davutoglu has blamed Kurdish militants in Turkey and Syrian Kurdish fighters for yesterday’s Ankara bombing, which killed 28 people.
He has also confirmed the bomber was a Syrian national.
“It has been revealed that this attack was carried out by members of the terrorist organisation in cooperation with a YPG member who infiltrated (Turkey) from Syria,” Davutoglu told reporters in the Turkish capital.
He confirmed the bomber was a Syrian national named Salih Necar and said nine people had been detained over the attack.
Davutoglu was referring in his comments to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Turkey considers both to be terror groups.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s air force has launched new strikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq.
The air strikes, late last night, were on the Haftanin area close to the Turkish border, a known PKK stronghold. A group of 60-70 fighters including top leaders were targeted, the army said.
Yesterday’s attack struck the heart of power in the Turkish capital, hitting an area where the headquarters of the army, the parliament and prime minister’s offices are in close proximity.
In addition to the fatalities, 61 people were wounded.
Reporting from © AFP, 2016
have your say