1 officer killed, another injured in attack on police in Turkey
Turkey's Interior Minister accuses the PKK of carrying out an attack on a residence that houses police in the Mersin province.
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Turkish security forces near the attack site in Mersin (AA)
One Turkish police officer was killed late on Monday and another was injured after a bomb exploded near a residence that houses police in the Mezitli district of Mersin province, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu confirmed.
According to the Turkish minister, the two females that carried out the attack first shot at the police officer and later detonated bombs that were attached to them.
During a visit to the scene, Soylu accused the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) of committing the attack which occurred around 10:40 pm, adding that four civilians were injured as a result and that the two attackers were killed during the explosions.
#Turkey 🇹🇷: An armed attack was carried out on Tece Police House in #Mezitli, #Mersin. Perperators appear to be female militants as well.
— War Noir (@war_noir) September 26, 2022
Militants used a pistol (for close-shooting) and likely two AKSU rifles (AK carbines with folding stocks), an RPK mag(?) and a foregrip. pic.twitter.com/xwls7hgqQ8
In a statement, the Turkish Interior Ministry said that security forces detonated a bomb set-up near the hotel, and ambulances and firefighters were dispatched following the attack.
The ministry indicated that an armed suspect was detained by security forces and law enforcement is looking for other suspects involved in the attack.
The Demiroren News Agency said that gunshots were heard following an explosion.
#Mersin'in Mezitli ilçesindeki polisevine yönelik silahlı saldırıda iki polis memuru yaralandı. Polis olay yerinde güvenlik önlemi aldı.
— Yeni Şafak (@yenisafak) September 26, 2022
📷Olay yerinden ilk görüntüler: pic.twitter.com/BQ5MljJt1p
It is worth noting that Turkey had launched a cross-border military offensive against PKK militants in northern Iraq in an operation that was officially announced on April 18. The operation drew condemnation from Iraq, with the presidency saying that Ankara's operation "poses a threat" to Iraqi national security.
