TURKEY: SIX BOMBINGS IN FOUR DAYS INJURE 37

UNCLAS ANKARA 004953 SIPDIS SNSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IZ PREL PTER TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: SIX BOMBINGS IN FOUR DAYS INJURE 37 CIVILIANS REF: IIR 1 671 2529 06 ¶1. (SBU) Six bombs have detonated in civilian areas across Turkey within the last four days, injuring 37 civilians, according to Turkish security officials. The evening of August 25, two bombs -- one outside of a bank and one at an office block near the city center -- exploded within five minutes of each other in Adana's old town, injuring four civilians (Ref IIR provides additional details). A package bomb, reportedly constructed from plastic A4-type explosive material, exploded across the street from the Sub-Governor's office in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul the evening of August 27, injuring six civilians. ¶2. (SBU) There were three bombings in Marmaris, a popular tourist destination, in the early morning hours of August 28. A minibus transiting a main boulevard was destroyed by a bomb placed under a seat, injuring 21 persons, including 10 British citizens; a second explosion occurred 45 minutes later near a Turkish Airlines office, injuring 6 civilians; and a third explosion occurred near a residential block, with no injuries reported. UK consular officials confirmed reports that 10 UK citizens were injured, some seriously, in the Marmaris bus attack. ¶3. (SBU) No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombings, although the PKK-affiliated Kurdish Freedom Hawks (TAK) have been linked to similar attacks in the past. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: This most recent string of attacks, which clearly targeted civilians and foreign tourists, will further increase public pressure on the GOT to take more drastic action against PKK terrorists, including those operating in northern Iraq. END COMMENT. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON