Turkish police arrest suspect after deadly bomb blast in Istanbul

Turkish police on Monday detained a Syrian woman suspected of having links to Kurdish militants and detonated a bomb on a busy pedestrian street in Istanbul, killing six and injuring dozens. announced that he had confessed

Six people were killed and dozens injured in Sunday’s explosion on Istiklal Avenue, a popular boulevard lined with shops and restaurants leading to iconic Taksim Square.

Anadolu Agency, citing Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu, said: “Some time ago, a person who left the bomb unattended was detained by a team of Istanbul police.” Police later identified the suspect as Syrian national Ahram Al-Bashir, who was believed to have planned to flee to neighboring Greece.

Istanbul police said video from about 1,200 security cameras had been verified and 21 raids had been carried out. At least 46 others were detained for questioning.

Police said the suspect left the scene in a taxi after leaving the TNT-type explosive on a busy street.

Sunday’s blast was a shocking reminder of the insecurity and security concerns that had plagued the Turkish public in years when such attacks were common. It has been hit by a series of deadly bombings, some by IS groups and others by Kurdish militants seeking greater autonomy or independence.

Home Secretary rejects US condolences

The minister said the obtained evidence pointed to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish group, the Democratic Alliance Party (PYD). He said the attack would be avenged.

“We know what message the people who carried out this action want us to send. We got this message,” Soyle said. “Don’t worry, we’ll give you a large refund in return.”

Soylu also accused the US of supporting a Kurdish group in Syria, saying the condolence message from the White House resembled “the first murderer to appear at a crime scene”. I am furious that I exist.

In a message of condolences, the White House strongly condemned the “violence” in Istanbul, saying: [Turkey] in anti-terrorism. ”

Turkish television broadcast footage purporting to show the main suspect being detained at the house where he was allegedly hiding. A woman is seen lying face down on her carpet, handcuffed from behind her.

9 years old in the dead

The suspect, wearing a purple hoodie and black pants, is later seen being taken to what is believed to be a police interrogation center.

Police raided the house and seized a large amount of cash, valuables and guns, according to the video.

Soylu said 50 of the 81 hospitalized have been discharged. Five of his injured are in intensive care, two of whom have life-threatening conditions, he said. Six of his people who died in the blast were members of his three families, including a 15-year-old and his 9-year-old.

Istiklal Street reopened for pedestrians at 6 a.m. local time on Monday after police completed an on-site inspection.

Mecid Bal, a 63-year-old shop owner, called from the scene saying his son was caught in the explosion.

“Dad, there are casualties lying on the ground. They were crushed when they got up,” Balu said.

Emra Aidinoglu, a restaurant employee, said he was talking on the phone when he heard the explosion.

“I looked out the window and saw people running,” the 22-year-old said. “People were lying on the ground, already visible from street corners [I was in]they were trying to call [for help]ambulance or police. Everyone was screaming and crying. ”

Riots since 1984

The PKK has fought rebels in Turkey since 1984. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since then.

Ankara and Washington see the PKK as a terrorist group, but disagree on the issue of Syrian Kurdish groups that have fought Islamic State groups in Syria.

In recent years, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has led a broad crackdown on Kurdish lawmakers and activists, as well as militants. Amid soaring inflation and other economic troubles, President Erdogan’s anti-terrorism campaign is a key rallying point ahead of next year’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

After attacks in 2015-2017 that killed more than 500 civilians and security personnel, Turkey launched cross-border military operations against Kurdish militants in Syria and northern Iraq, cracked down on politicians, journalists and activists.

“For almost six years we have not experienced a serious terrorist incident like we experienced in Istanbul yesterday.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told government broadcaster A Haber on Sunday that investigators had their eye on a woman who had been sitting on a bench by the blast site for about 40 minutes. An explosion occurred minutes after she left.

Turkey’s media watchdog has imposed restrictions on coverage of Sunday’s blast. This is a move to ban the use of close-up videos and photos of the explosion and its aftermath. The Supreme Council of Radio and Television has imposed similar bans in the past following both attacks and accidents.

Access to Twitter and other social media sites was also restricted on Sunday.