Event Summary:
At least 28 people were killed and 61 more wounded in a huge explosion targeting a military vehicle in Ankara, Turkey’s capital. This is the fourth major attack on Turkey’s capital in the past few months.
According to officials the attack was by a Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) on Wednesday February 17th at night targeting military personnel travelling in a separate car. The explosion went off at around 1815hrs at the height of the Ankara’s rush hour and was strategically not far from the country’s parliament, government buildings and military headquarters.
Despite the attack not being immediately claimed, the PKK and ISIS are among the major suspects. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called a meeting with top security officials and termed the attack as a terrorist attack.
Background:
Turkey has been the target of ISIS attacks in the recent months mainly for allying with countries fighting the terrorist group. Additionally, the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) has increased the attacks since a two-year ceasefire between them and the state collapsed in July 2015.
