Bomb blast on major avenue in Istanbul kills 6, injures dozens
PBS NewsHourDec 23, 2022
The Facts
Turkish police have reportedly arrested 46 people in response to a bombing in Istanbul, which Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Monday described as a terrorist attack likely carried out by Kurdish militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Defense Units (YPG). Turkish officials didn't rule out the Islamic State group.
According to Soylu, the suspected bomber is among those arrested following Sunday's blast in the popular Taksim Square area, which killed at least six people and injured 81 others. Vice Pres. Fuat Oktay stated that a female suspect was believed to have carried out the bombing.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Everything points to the latest attack being an act of terrorism by the separatist PKK and its Syrian Kurdish offshoot, the YPG. And while Washington is now shedding tears, it's the US that's supporting the supposed "freedom fighters" of the PKK/YPG in Syria with money and weapons, despite officially classifying the PKK as a terrorist organization. Through its policy of hypocrisy and double standards, the US shares responsibility for the innocent victims of the recent attack.
Pro-establishment narrative
Although no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, Ankara is already spreading claims that the attack was masterminded by the Syrian PKK/YPG without providing any evidence. At the same time, it's accusing the US of being partly responsible through its alleged support of "terrorists" in Syria. The immediate spread of such theories presumably serves the purpose of justifying a renewed military campaign against US-backed forces in Syria.
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
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