Four Urban Explosions In One Month

There have been four explosions or bombed attacks in Güngören and Üsküdar districts in Istanbul, Mersin and Izmir. Authorities and the media held the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) responsible for the attacks, but the PKK have not assumed any responsibility yet.

Erhan Üstündağ

In one month, 17 civilians have died in attacks and attack attempts in Mersin and İstanbul and more than 150 civilians have been injured. Mersin is at the far eastern end of Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

So far no group has assumed the responsibility for yesterday’s Izmir explosion, although Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırm already held the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) responsible for it. PKK is held responsible for the other explosions as well, but the organization itself has not assumed any responsibility so far.

August 18, Mersin: The vehicle stopped at the highway by the police exploded, injuring 13 police officers and killing the driver of the vehicle. Driver’s identity has not been determined yet. Governor Hüseyin Aksoy said there was no concrete evidence showing PKK connection.

August 7, Uskudar, Istanbul: There was a mortar attack in Uskudar, injuring three municipality workers. It is thought that the actual target was the Selimiye Barracks 500 meters away. According to a declaration published on Indymedia Istanbul, “The Martyr Ongan Platoon Attached To Revolutionary Headquarters" assumed the responsibility for the atack.

July 27, Güngören, Istanbul: In two explosions that took place in the evening hours, total of 17 people were killed and more than 150 were injured. Governor Muammer Güler sees a “separatist organization connection.” The PKK did not assume any responsibility for the explosions. Ten people were taken in custody in connection with the explosions. The lawyer of Hüseyin Türeli, one of the suspects, denies the charges, claiming his client had been a textile worker for the last seven years.

August 21, Izmir: A parked car exploded near the Çinili Mosque in the neighborhood of Eşrefpaşa in İzmir at 7:45 in the morning, while a military service bus and a service vehicle used by the riot police were passing. Seven police officers, three soldiers and six civilians are injured.

Clashes in Southeastern Turkey

The clashes between the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the PKK continue.

According to TSK’s internet site, an air attack was organized to the northern Iraq on August 16. According to the publication of the Kurdish Patriots Union (KYB), PukMedia, TSK planes flied over Kandil mountain, where the PKK headquarter is, and the next day the settlements near the border were bombed by cannon fire.

According to the Fırat News Agency (ANF), following the operations in the past few days, there was a clash between the Turkish soldiers and the guerillas of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG). Yüksekova’s Military Recruiting Service was under rocket attack. (EÜ/EZÖ)