US disappointed with Turkey rejecting sympathy after terrorist attack

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Nov 2022 23:46

Washington called Ankara's comments "irresponsible."

Security forensic officials work at the area after an explosion on Istanbul's popular pedestrian Istiklal Avenue, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Washington is disappointed by Ankara's "irresponsible" comments after a terrorist attack targeted Istanbul over the weekend, indicated a US State Department spokesperson on Tuesday.

On Monday, Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu asserted Ankara's rejection of the US Embassy's condolences regarding the terrorist attack in Taksim, which killed 6 people.

"The United States unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands in solidarity with Turkey, our valued NATO Ally. 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," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Yesterday, Monday, Soylu said "We know where the attack was coordinated. We have received the message given to us and we know what that message is. We do not accept condolences from the US Embassy. We are not treacherous to anyone, but we no longer have any tolerance for these insidious acts. The Istiklal street is our child."

The minister added that the culprit could have gone to Greece on Monday if Ankara had not apprehended her.

The explosion

A strong explosion was heard Sunday in a busy area in the heart of Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the explosion in Istanbul left six people dead and 53 injured.

The suspect in the deadly attack has been identified as a Syrian national and had allegedly admitted to having ties with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, as per Milliyet newspaper.

For his part, Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said, "We believe that it is a terrorist act carried out by an attacker, whom we consider to be a woman, exploding the bomb."

Oktay added that the explosion, which the authorities classified as a terrorist act, killed 6 people and injured over 80 persons, 39 of whom have since been released from hospitals.

Istiklal Street was hit during a 2015-2016 attack campaign targeting Istanbul and other cities, including Ankara. These bombings, which killed nearly 500 people and injured over 2,000, were mostly blamed on ISIS and outlawed Kurdish militants.

Istiklal Street in Istanbul's ancient district of Beyoglu is one of the city's most well-known thoroughfares.