Statement: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn condemning this afternoon’s bomb attack in Ankara

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 13.03.16
Publication Date 13/03/2016
Content Type

At least 37 died in a bomb attack in the centre of Ankara, Turkey on the 13 March 2016. This is the third major attack in the Turkish capital within the space of five months. Turkey faces security threats from the Islamic State group (IS) and Kurdish rebels.

As on the 14 March 2016 no group admitted carrying out the attack in the capital, but government sources cast suspicion on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Police arrested several suspects reportedly linked to Kurdish rebels in connection with the bomb attack. In apparent retaliation, Turkish warplanes launched airstrikes on Kurdish targets in Iraq.

On the 17 March 2016 the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), a breakaway faction of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.

Subsequently, on the 19 March 2016 a suicide bomb attack at a busy shopping area in the Turkish city of Istanbul killed at least four people.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160313_03_en.htm
Related Links
Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Another bomb attack in Ankara http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155619/another-bomb-attack-in-ankara
EurActiv, 14.03.16: Dozens killed in Ankara suicide attack http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/suicide-attack-kills-at-least-34-people-in-ankara/
ESO: Background information: Ankara terrorist attack prevents Davutoglu from attending Brussels mini-summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/ankara-terrorist-attack-prevents-davutoglu-from-attending-brussels-mini-summit/
BBC News, 14.03.16: Ankara bombing: Turkey strikes against Kurdish rebel PKK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35799998
Deutsche Welle, 14.03.16: Turkey blames Kurdish rebels for Ankara attack, makes arrests http://dw.com/p/1ICgi
Turkey: President: News, 13.03.16: These attacks do not diminish our will to fight against terror, but further boost it https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/40136/these-attacks-do-not-diminish-our-will-to-fight-against-terror-but-further-boost-it.html
BBC News, 14.03.16: Ankara bombing: Erdogan seeks to widen terrorism definition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35807987
The Conversation, 14.03.16: Bombing in Ankara: who is fighting who in Turkey? https://theconversation.com/bombing-in-ankara-who-is-fighting-who-in-turkey-56223
Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Terrorism in Turkey http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155619/terrorism-in-turkey
Deutsche Welle, 17.03.16: Turkey's Kurdish TAK faction a breakaway from the PKK http://dw.com/p/1IERZ
BBC News, 19.03.16: Istanbul shopping area hit by suicide bomber http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35850625
Deutsche Welle, 19.03.16: Istanbul suicide bombing shakes city center http://dw.com/p/1IGIv
Deutsche Welle, 21.03.16: Istanbul cautiously resumes daily life after bombing http://dw.com/p/1IGvm

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