Twin blasts near Istanbul soccer stadium kill 29 , wound 166

[rooster59]

Twin blasts near Istanbul soccer stadium kill 29 , wound 166 

DOMINIQUE SOGUEL, Associated Press

 

ISTANBUL (AP) — Twin attacks by a suicide bomber and a car bomber near an Istanbul soccer stadium Saturday night killed 29 people and wounded 166 others in the latest large-scale assault to traumatize a nation confronting an array of security threats.

 

The bombs targeted police officers, killing 27 of them along with two civilians, Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters early Sunday. He added that 10 people had been arrested in connection with the "terrorist attack."

 

The civilian death toll was lower because fans had already left the newly built Vodafone Arena Stadium after the soccer match when the blasts occurred. Witnesses also heard gunfire after the explosions.

 

"We have once again witnessed tonight in Istanbul the ugly face of terror which tramples on every value and decency," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement.

 

The first bomb went off just outside the facility known popularly as Besiktas Stadium after the local team and neighborhood. The second blast that came moments later was attributed by authorities to a suicide bomber.

 

Police cordoned off the area as smoke rose from behind the stadium and ambulances began ferrying the wounded to hospitals. Glass from the blown-out windows of nearby buildings littered the pavement.

 

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. This year, Istanbul has witnessed a spate of attacks attributed by authorities to the Islamic State group or claimed by Kurdish militants. A state of emergency is in force following a failed July 15 coup attempt.

 

Soylu acknowledged the country was struggling against "many elements" trying to compromise its fight against terrorism.

 

Turkey is a partner in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and its armed forces are active in neighboring Syria and Iraq. It is also facing a renewed conflict with an outlawed Kurdish movement in the southeast.

 

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Washington condemns the attack in "the strongest terms."

 

"We stand together with Turkey, our NATO Ally, against all terrorists who threaten Turkey, the United States, and global peace and stability," Price said in a statement.

 

A taxi driver at the site of the Istanbul bombings said their force made him hit his head on the taximeter and that his ears were still ringing from the blasts and screaming that followed.

 

"Amid the screams I heard an officer saying 'do not shout! Do not make them (the perpetrators) be satisfied," said Ismail Coskun.

 

The first and larger explosion took place about 7:30 p.m. GMT after the home team Besiktas beat visitor Bursaspor 2-1 in the Turkish Super League. Erdogan said the timing of the attack aimed to maximize the loss of life and vowed the nation would overcome terrorism.

 

Soylu said the first explosion was caused by a passing vehicle that detonated in an area where police special forces were located at the stadium exit right after the match. A riot police bus appears to have been the target.

 

Kurdish militants often target security forces while Islamic State-linked attacks have targeted tourists and the broader public.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said a person who had been stopped in the nearby Macka Park committed suicide by triggering explosives.

 

Investigators, including Istanbul Police Chief Mustafa Caliskan, were quickly on the scene. Forensic experts in white uniforms scoured the vicinity of the stadium and the vast park where the suicide bombing took place.

 

The Besiktas sports club "strongly condemned" the attack and said an employee of one of its stores was among the fatalities, as well as a member of its congress who was also responsible for security at the stadium.

 

Bursaspor reported that none of the wounded were fans and issued a statement wishing "a speedy recovery to our wounded citizens."

 

Health Minister Recep Akdag said six of the wounded remained in intensive care, with three of them in critical condition.

 

Aleksander Ceferin, president of European soccer's governing body UEFA, and European Union Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, also made statements condemning the attack.

 

"Violence has no place in a democratic society," Hahn wrote on Twitter.

 

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini expressed the bloc's "solidarity with Turkish citizens'"

 

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, meanwhile, urged its citizens to avoid the area which is also home to a Ritz Carlton hotel.

 

Turkey's radio and television board issued a temporary coverage ban citing national security concerns. It said "to avoid broadcasts that can result in public fear, panic or chaos, or that will serve the aims of terrorist organizations."

 

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-12-11

[baboon]

"There was no immediate claim of responsibility. This year, Istanbul has witnessed a spate of attacks attributed by authorities to the Islamic State group or claimed by Kurdish militants."

 

I'll tell you who was responsible. The scum of the earth, that's who.

[CharlieK]

 

ISIS or Kurdish separatists, Turkey is the next Syria. Time for the EU to build that boarder fence and stop trying to get Turkey to do what they should do themselves. With millions of refugees! in Turkey even if a few thousand are ISIS infiltrators, would be enough to get the ball rolling.  

[Scott]

There were attacks in several other countries as well.   I hope, if hope is the right word, that there was no coordination between these groups.  

[Morch]

On 12/11/2016 at 2:53 PM, CharlieK said:

 

ISIS or Kurdish separatists, Turkey is the next Syria. Time for the EU to build that boarder fence and stop trying to get Turkey to do what they should do themselves. With millions of refugees! in Turkey even if a few thousand are ISIS infiltrators, would be enough to get the ball rolling.  

 

Turkey is nothing like Syria. For starters, Turks got a rather strong nationalistic streak, and similarly a long history as a nation. Terrorist attacks in Turkey are nothing new, sadly. So is getting a call through to Istanbul whenever a crisis like this happens.

 

The EU countries near Turkey are already in the process of putting up fences, this was reported for over a couple of years now if not more. Greece won't be helped much by fences, of course. The same goes for refugees in Turkey. They're already there a few years now, and so far no major issues with terrorism, probably more so with economy and crime. And bear in mind this is Turkey, the country the EU spurns for poor human rights record - when it comes to dealing with terrorism, not having gloves on may actually work for the Turks.