ANKARA, TURKIYE (AP) – Turkish security forces have detained a suspect wanted in connection with the deadly bombing in Istanbul in an operation in a Turkish-controlled area in northwestern Syria, Turkiye’s state-run news agency reported.
Other suspects detained following the bombing appeared before court officials yesterday to face possible charges or be released from custody.
The suspect, identified by his code-name ‘Husam’ was apprehended by Turkish police on Wednesday in the Syrian city of Azaz, which is currently under the control of the Syrian opposition, the Anadolu Agency reported. He was being taken to Istanbul for questioning.
His detention raised the number of suspects under custody in connection with the bombing to 51.
Sunday’s explosion targetted Istanbul’s bustling Istiklal Avenue – a popular thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants – and left six people dead, including two children. Seven dozen others were wounded in the attack that came as a stark reminder of bombings in Turkish cities between 2015 and 2017, crushing the public’s sense of security.
Turkish authorities blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as well as Syrian Kurdish groups affiliated with it. The militants groups have, however, denied involvement.
Anadolu said ‘Husam’ is suspected of aiding and abetting a Syrian woman who is accused of leaving a TNT-laden bomb at Istiklal. Police said the woman, identified as Ahlam Albashir, crossed into Turkiye from Syria illegally and admitted to carrying out the attack.
Albashir and 49 others were taken to a courthouse in Istanbul yesterday for questioning by court officials following routine medical checks, Anadolu said.
The PKK has fought an armed insurgency in Turkiye since 1984. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since then.
Ankara and Washington both consider the PKK an extremist group, but disagree on the status of the Syrian Kurdish groups, which have been allied with the United States in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria.
