A car bomb was detonated today during rush hour in the Turkish capital city of Ankara, apparently timed to target military buses which were waiting at a red light at the intersection. At least 28 people were killed and 61 wounded, and indications are the casualties are overwhelmingly military personnel.
The attack happened just down the street from Turkey’s parliament, near the nation’s military headquarters. The blast was said to be enormous, suggesting the vehicle was packed with explosives, and was heard across the entire capital.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement vowing to fight against the “pawns” carrying out atacks against the military, insisting such strikes are only increasing their determination to crack down on terrorism.
That may be easier said than done, however, as Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus conceded that the government has zero information on who carried out the attack. Though he pledged to figure that out, Turkey has no shortage of possible suspects, from ISIS to the Kurdish PKK, and various leftist groups that also launch bombing attacks on a fairly regular basis.
I guess two can play at the same game. Turkey opened up a can of worms that it will regret dearly.