Turkey: "US Supports Organization Behind Istanbul Explosion" US Denies Allegations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Turkey has officially rejected the U.S. government's condolences, claiming that the U.S. government supports the organization identified as responsible for the Istanbul explosion incident. Earlier, the White House expressed condolences over the Istanbul explosion and condemned the violent act.

According to foreign media on the 14th (local time), Suleyman Soylu, Turkey's Minister of Interior, strongly criticized, saying, "The U.S. condolences are like the murderer arriving first at the crime scene."

Minister Soylu added, "The insincerity of the so-called ally country of Turkey is very clear," and "An ally who treats us like a friend hides terrorists or supports terrorist-occupied territories. And officially funds them through the parliament."

In a broadcast speech, he said, "I will not accept the condolence message from the U.S. Embassy. I reject it."

Minister Soylu pointed to the Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Kurdish militias as the perpetrators behind this incident.

Turkish police revealed that the suspect in this incident is a Syrian national woman named Ahlam Albashir. According to the police, the suspect stated that she was trained by Kurdish militias within Syria and entered Turkey through the Afrin region in northwestern Syria. A total of 46 people, including Albashir, have been arrested in connection with this incident.

Turkey has consistently criticized the U.S. for supplying weapons to the Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Kurdish militias.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party is an armed organization advocating for Kurdish separatist independence, residing in southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, and northeastern Syria.

The U.S. regards the Kurdistan Workers' Party as a terrorist organization, similar to Turkey, but does not acknowledge Turkey's claim that the Kurdish militias are a subordinate organization of the party and maintains a cooperative relationship with the Kurdish militias.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.