Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu rejected the condolences of the American Embassy when he spoke to media outlets during his visit to the scene of yesterday’s explosion in Istanbul, reported Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
The US Embassy in Turkey tweeted yesterday extending its condolences to the families of those who were killed in the explosion in central Istanbul.
The U.S. Mission in Türkiye is deeply saddened by the explosion in Istanbul this afternoon. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery for the injured.
— U.S. Embassy Türkiye (@USEmbassyTurkey) November 13, 2022
On 14 November, Soylu visited the scene of the explosion, and said that Turkey had received the message.
“I emphasise it again: We do not accept the American Embassy’s condolences, we reject them. Our alliance with a state that sends money from its own senates to feed Kobanê (Ayn al-Arab) and terrorist areas and tries to disturb Turkey’s peace should of course be discussed,” said Soylu.
“Whoever is feeding the PYD [Democratic Union Party in north Syria], whoever is trying to provide internal intelligence to the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party], is the perpetrator,” added Soylu.
Stating that the perpetrator came from Kobanê to Turkey, Süleyman Soylu said that Turkey will continue its military operations.
Fahrettin Altun, Turkey’s Director of Communications tweeted: “Terror attacks against our civilians are direct and indirect consequences of some countries’ support for terror groups.”
At least six people died and 81 were injured in the explosion that took place on Istiklal Avenue in the centre of Turkey’s largest city Istanbul on 13 November.
Gazete Duvar quoted the Greek Radio and Television Institution, which commented under the headline, “Istanbul: Twenty-two arrests related to deadly explosion – Soylu accuses PKK”, saying, “We are entering an election process in which the Kurdish issue is the focal point.”
The Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council announced a reporting ban on the explosion in İstanbul on 13 November.
