ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities claimed on Wednesday that the two suspected Kurdish militants behind the weekend attack in Ankara had been trained in Syria. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that the assailants, who died during the incident, had received training in Syria, prompting Turkey to declare its right to strike a wider range of Kurdish targets in both Syria and Iraq in retaliation for the attack.
The attackers, identified as Kurdish militants, targeted an area near Turkey’s interior ministry over the weekend. One of the assailants was shot dead by Turkish police, while the other died in an apparent suicide blast. The incident left two policemen injured.
“In light of investigations carried out by our security forces, it has been confirmed that the two terrorists came from Syria and were trained there,” stated Fidan during televised remarks. “Henceforth, all infrastructure, large facilities, and energy facilities belonging to armed Kurdish groups in Iraq and Syria are legitimate targets for our security forces.”
Turkey Conducts Air Strikes Against PKK Militia
A branch of the Kurdish PKK militia, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, claimed responsibility for the attack. This marked the first attack in Ankara since 2016. In response, Turkey conducted air raids against PKK targets in Iraq shortly after the incident.
Fidan’s statement implied that Turkey could potentially expand its air strikes to include Syria. The situation is complicated by the presence of Syrian Kurds, who have established a semi-autonomous region in the northern and eastern parts of Syria.
However, Turkey regards the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the dominant faction within the SDF, as an offshoot of the PKK. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously threatened to broaden military actions against the YPG.
