Turkey: Strong Explosion In Ankara Near Parliament, Interior Ministry Condemns A “terrorist Attack”

Turkish security forces near the Interior Ministry in Ankara after a bomb attack, Sunday, October 1, 2023. CAGLA GURDOGAN / Portal

On Sunday, October 1st, there was a violent explosion in the center of the Turkish capital Ankara. The targeted district is close to the parliament and is home to numerous ministries. The Turkish Interior Ministry immediately described the explosion as a “terrorist attack.”

“At around 9:30 a.m. two terrorists showed up in a light military vehicle. [8 h 30, heure de Paris] “We were stranded in front of the entrance gate of the General Directorate of Security of our Interior Ministry and carried out a bomb attack,” the ministry reported. “One of the terrorists blew himself up and the other was neutralized. “Two of our police officers were slightly injured by the flames of the explosion,” the ministry said on X (formerly Twitter).

This terrorist attack occurred as Parliament was opening its new working session today after the summer holidays and Head of State Recep Tayyip Erdogan was due to speak there, according to Turkish media.

The private television station NTV also reported shootings in the completely cordoned off district and the use of numerous police vehicles and ambulances.