A suicide bomber let off an explosive device outside the Turkish parliament just hours before it was set to re-open after summer recess, officials said.
A second man was killed during a shootout with police after both suspects arrived near the entrance to Turkey’s interior affairs ministry in Ankara.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Turkey’s interior minister also said two police officers were injured during the attack. It happened just before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was set to deliver an address to parliament.
Television footage showed bomb squads working near a parked vehicle in the area which is located near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and other government buildings.
There was no immediate information on the attackers. However, Kurdish and far-left militant groups as well as the Islamic State group have carried out deadly attacks throughout the country in the past.
Last year, six people were killed and 81 were wounded in an explosionin Istanbul. Turkey blamed Kurdish militants for the attack.
And in 2015 and 2016, Kurdish militants, Islamic State and other groups either claimed or were blamed for several attacks in major Turkish cities.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation has been launched into the “terror attack.” “These attacks will in no way hinder Turkey’s fight against terrorism. Our fight against terrorism will continue with more determination,” he said.
Police cordoned off access to the city center and increased security measures— (EPA)
Police cordoned off access to the city center and increased security measures, warning citizens that they would be conducting controlled explosions of suspicious packages.
President Tayyip Erdogan was set at 7:30 p.m. to attend the opening of parliament, which in the coming weeks is expected to consider ratifying Sweden’s bid to join NATO after Turkey had raised initial objections.
Turkish media reported that authorities were carrying out checks of the parliament after the blast at the ministry. A source told Reuters that the entrance was open but no cars were allowed through as part of the precautions.
