Attempted terrorist attack in Ankara, Türkiye
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An explosion was heard in front of the Ministry of Interior’s Kızılay building in Ankara, followed by gunshots early in the morning.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported on Sunday that a terrorist blew himself up and another was “neutralized” in a terrorist attack targeting the headquarters of the Turkish National Police in the capital Ankara.
Yerlikaya said in a social media post that two terrorists approached the entrance of the building in a light commercial vehicle and one of them blew himself up. He added that the other terrorist was “neutralized” in the ensuing shootout with police that also left two police officers slightly injured.
“Neutralized” is a term used by Turkish authorities to describe terrorists captured dead or alive.
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the terrorist attack.
In relation to the attack, the Ankara Criminal Court of Peace has issued a media access and publication ban.
Following the explosion, police forces took increased security around the area.
The main Ataturk Boulevard was closed to traffic due to the explosion close to one of the gates of Parliament. Special operations police have also been dispatched to the scene. The fire brigade and medical teams are also on the scene.
Today was the opening day of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and all MPs were to attend the opening of the Parliament.
President Tayyip Erdogan was set at 7:30 p.m. to attend the opening of parliament, which in the coming weeks is expected to consider ratifying Sweden’s bid to join NATO after Turkiye had raised initial objections.
The blast was the first in Ankara since 2016
During a spate of violence in 2015 and 2016, Kurdish militants, Islamic State and other groups either claimed or were blamed for several attacks in major Turkish cities. In March 2016, 37 people were killed in Ankara when a bomb-laden car exploded at a crowded central transport hub.
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