Turkey detains in an operation in Syria a person allegedly linked to the attack in Istanbul

November 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The security forces of Turkey have arrested in an operation in the area of ​​Syria under their control a person allegedly linked to the attack carried out on Sunday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, which left six dead and more than 80 injured and which Ankara has blamed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The suspect, identified only through his alias, ‘Husam’, has been arrested in the city of Azaz for allegedly collaborating in the execution of the bomb attack, according to the Turkish state news agency, Anatolia, which points out that the The man is said to be a member of the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia, which maintains ties to the PKK.

The Turkish authorities indicate that the man would have traveled to Istanbul a year ago and maintained contact with the main suspect of placing the explosive device on Istiklal Avenue, identified as Ahlam Albashir, to prepare the attack. The suspect would have fled to the neighboring country after the attack.

The announcement about the arrest of this suspect comes just a few hours before some of those detained after the attack appear before a Turkish court, within the framework of the processes opened after the attack, whose responsibility remains unclaimed. Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu confirmed on Monday the arrest of the main suspect and pointed to the PKK as responsible. Thus, he said that the order came from Ain al Arab (Kobani), where the YPG operates.

However, the PKK disassociated itself from the attack. “We have nothing to do with this incident and it is well known to the public that we do not directly attack civilians or condone actions directed against civilians,” the People’s Defense Center (HSM) Headquarters Command said. The FDS, a coalition of militias whose main element is the YPG, also denied any relationship with the attack.