Bomb Attack Targets Turkish Interior Ministry Building Ahead of Parliament Opening
Istanbul, Turkey – Two terrorists carried out a bomb attack in front of Turkey’s Interior Ministry building in the capital city of Ankara on Sunday, just hours before the opening of parliament. The attack left two police officers wounded, according to a statement from Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The attackers arrived in a light commercial vehicle and detonated a bomb in front of the building’s entrance at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time. One of the assailants blew himself up, while the other was neutralized by security forces.
The blast caused slight damage to a guard tower located in front of the entrance. Police have cordoned off the area, and a bomb squad was seen searching for any other suspicious packages. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack at this time.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that an investigation has been launched into the incident. He also emphasized that these attacks will not hinder Turkey’s fight against terrorism, stating, “Our fight against terrorism will continue even more determinedly.”
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to work after their summer break at 2 p.m., just a few hours after the bombing took place. Security measures are expected to be heightened as a result of the attack.
Unfortunately, terror attacks in Turkey have been common in recent years due to the security situation near the country’s border with Syria. In 2016, Ankara experienced two attacks by Kurdish assailants, one targeting military personnel on a bus and another at a bus stop. In 2015, twin bombings at a peace rally near the capital’s main train station claimed the lives of nearly 100 people.
As the investigation into the latest attack continues, Turkey remains determined to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens and institutions.