Syria Condemns Terrorist Attack In Istanbul, Warns Turkey Against Escalation

Syria Condemns Terrorist Attack In Istanbul, Warns Turkey Against Escalation

Syria flag (flickr).

Syria has condemned the November 13 deadly bombing in Istanbul, warning Turkey against using the terrorist attack as an excuse for escalation.

The bombing, which targeted the İstiklal Avenue, killed six people and wounded more than 80 others. No group has claimed responsibility, but Turkish authorities announced that Kurdish separatists were behind the attack, implicating the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).

Turkey’s interior minister, Süleyman Soylu, announced on November 14 the arrest of the female bomber and forty-six others. Turkey’s PKK denied any role in the attack, as did the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which accused the Turkish government of creating a pretext for a new ground operation in Syria.

On November 15, a Turkish official told the media that the Turkish military plans to pursue “Kurdish targets” in northern Syria after it completes a cross-border operation against the PKK in Iraq.

The threat led to worries in Syria, whose foreign minister condemned the bombing in an interview with the local Al Watan newspaper that was published on November 16. Faisal Mekdad said that Syria condemns terrorism whenever it takes place, but warned Turkey against using the attack in Istanbul as an excuse to escalate in Syria.

“If the Turkish administration wants to exploit such incidents against Syria, they know that they are the ones who sent the terrorists to Syria. They sent tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands. They should not use such events as an excuse to carry out operations or steps that may further escalate the situation,” the minster was quoted as saying.

Syrian and Turkish intelligence officials have been holding talks for the last few months. However, the two counties are yet to make the decision to restore relations.

The Turkish military and its proxies spent most of the summer preparing for a new ground operation against the SDF in northern Syria. Ankara may be planning to use the deadly terrorist attack in Istanbul as a casus belli and launch its long-awaited operation.

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Tommy Jensen

Turkey can forget up starting WWIII up only because of this incident. Stay cool.

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ArmenianCekko

ww3 for Syria? lol no one gives a shit about that shithole. Turkish army already launched 3 or 4 major military operations inside of Syria and did grab Syrian land. No one gives a shit about it. And now Russia has alot of problems in Ukraine and Iran has problems inside. Its a good time to launch a major military incursion against the PKK in Syria.

JHK

Ottoman Turkiye (Of UnWalled Villages) has already Won WW3.

#WW3VictoryCigars

(jews and commies are losers since 1918.)

John doe

You retarded or just idiot ?

HUMAN

Looking for TERRORISTS? MERDolfgan, MERDusoglu and ALL ITS GENOCIDALS AND JIHADICHIHUAHUAS!

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Attila

IT you still a life ?

HUMAN

WERENT ‘you’ (SECOND OF IT) IN MERDOLGAN FALSE FLAG IN COSTANTINOPLE?
A PITY PIGgila, still spoiling the World … UNHUMAN!

Last edited 2 years ago by HUMAN
Josh

It is a reasonable concern, and I agree with the Syrian foreign minister’s statement.

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Josh

I will add,however, that it is observed that the ceasefire in Idlib has been more or less effective in containing the expansion of hostilities. I would also like to point out that both sides, in this particular instance, have had difficulties with criminal elements which were actively employed in precipitating the conflict and ensuring its continuance. It is not at all unlikely that the right steps can continue to be taken, mutually, to bring about a settlement that is agreeable, and I sincerely hope for this.

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start noww

now Russia has alot of problems in Ukraine and Iran has problems inside. Its a good time to launch a major military incursion in Syria.

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