Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on Monday alleged that the United States (US) was responsible for Sunday’s deadly attack on Istanbul by Kurdish militants.
“We know how this event was coordinated. We know where this coordinated from,” Soylu claimed. Noting that the US was complicit in the attack, Soylu said that the US support for Kurdish militants is “disturbing the peace” in Turkey.
He called American involvement a “treacherous act,” saying Turkey should scrutinise its alliance “with the State that feeds the boars and other terrorist zones from the Senate’s funds,” referring to US military support to Kurdish groups in Syria.
Turkey essentially just accused the US of being behind the Istanbul attacks #USterrorism #Turkiye
— Julia Hashem (@HacemJulie) November 14, 2022
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He emphasised that whoever is supporting groups like the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Defensive Units (YPG) is the perpetrator.
Soylu also dismissed US condolences as meaningless as long as it supports Kurds. “I emphasise once again that we do not accept, and reject the condolences of the US Embassy,” he stressed, adding, “The killer is among the first ones returning to the scene.”
Likewise, Turkish Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said, “terror attacks against our civilians are direct and indirect consequences of some countries’ support for terror groups.”
We are deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the explosion in Istanbul today. We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and the Turkish people. The United States stands united with our Turkish Allies.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 13, 2022
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Sunday that the US “strongly condemns the act of violence” in Istanbul. “Our thoughts are with those who were injured and our deepest condolences go to those who lost loved ones. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our NATO ally Turkey in countering terrorism.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is “deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the explosion.” The US embassy in Turkey also sent condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack.
Furthermore, a State Department spokesperson told Axios that the US firmly rejects Soylu’s allegations, saying, “We reject and are deeply disappointed by any irresponsible comments to suggest that the United States had any role or responsibility in this despicable attack on Turkish citizens.”
On Sunday, an explosion in a crowded shopping area near Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square killed six people and injured around 81. Turkey has blamed the attack on the PKK/YPG alliance.
The U.S. Mission in Türkiye is deeply saddened by the explosion in Istanbul this afternoon. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery for the injured.
— U.S. Embassy Türkiye (@USEmbassyTurkey) November 13, 2022
“Relevant units of our state are carrying out works to find out the perpetrators of this heinous attack as well as the circles behind it,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Sunday. “Attempts to make Turkey surrender through terror never have and never will succeed,” he emphasised, adding, “The perpetrators will be punished in the way they deserve.”
On Monday, Ankara announced that security forces had arrested a Syrian woman with ties to Kurdish militants who later claimed responsibility. Police said 46 other people have also been detained for questioning after reviewing 1,200 security cameras and carrying out raids at 21 locations.
According to the police, the suspect said she received training as a “special intelligence officer” from the Iraqi PKK and the Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD). Officials claimed she entered Turkey illegally from Syria. Turkish also suspect the involvement of the YPG.
At least six people were killed and 53 others were injured in an explosion on a central thoroughfare in #Istanbul, Turkey in what appears to be a suicide bombing attack.
— Adam Milstein (@AdamMilstein) November 13, 2022
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The PKK, however, has denied any role in the attack, saying it does not intentionally harm citizens. Likewise, the YPG rejected Turkey’s claims. The militants claimed that Erdoğan blamed them to amass international support for launching a new offensive in Syria.
Turkey has on numerous occasions condemned US support for Kurdish militants, especially the YPG in Syria. The US has partnered with Kurdish groups like the YPG and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and supported them militarily to fight Islamic State militants. Turkey claoims the Syrian Kurdish groups are allies with the Iraq-based PKK, which has been fighting a decades-long war with Turkey to carve out an independent Kurdistan.
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi has denied any involvement in the Istanbul attack, however.
Turkey also refused to accept Finland and Sweden’s bids to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing the two Nordic countries’ support for Kurdish militants.