2010 İskenderun attack

2010 İskenderun attack
Part of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978-present)
LocationTurkey İskenderun, Hatay Province, Turkey
Date31 May 2010 (31 May 2010)
00:40 (EEST)
Deaths6
Injured7–9
Perpetrators Kurdistan Workers' Party
Israel Mossad (claimed)

2010 İskenderun attack was an attack in Mediterranean port city of İskenderun on 31 May 2010, around 00:40 perpetrated by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). 6 soldiers died and 7 or 9 others were injured as a result of the attack.

Background

See also: Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present)

İskenderun is a city in Turkey located in the Hatay Province. It is the second largest city in the province after Antakya, and is a port city located on the Mediterranean Sea.[1]

The conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) (designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, the European Union and NATO) has been active since 1984, primarily in the southeast of the country. More than 40,000 people have died as a result of the conflict.[2]

Attack

On 30 May 2010, around 23:58, a military vehicle carrying troops to the İskenderun Naval Base started its passage from Modernevler neighbourhood.[3] Around 00:40, a few militants of the PKK stationed on Nur Mountains attacked the vehicle with RPG-7 grenade launchers and long-range weapons, killing 6 soldiers and injuring 7 or 9[4] other soldiers.[5][6] Surviving soldiers and militants clashed for 15 minutes after the attack, no casualties occurred.[7] Three of the injured were in a critical condition and were taken to a military hospital in the Ankara.[2]

Reactions

The president of Turkey, Abdullah Gül condemned the attack and the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Mehmet Ali Şahin stated that "Turkey will not give up in its struggle against terrorism".[8]

As a reaction to the attack, a group of Turkish civilians attacked district center of the Peace and Democracy Party. Police prevented the crowd from entering the building and no casualties occurred.[7]

Alleged Israeli role

Vice President of the Felicity Party, Şevket Kazan, claimed that the attack was perpetrated by PKK members who were also agents working for the Mossad.[9] The fact that attack took place 3 hours before the Gaza flotilla raid, in which 9 citizens of Turkey were killed by Israeli naval commandos created further controversy among the public.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "SON DAKİKA: Hatay'da korkutan patlama yaşandı! Hatay patlamasının nedeni ne, İskenderun nerede?". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  2. ^ a b "Rocket attack 'kills six' at Turkish naval base". BBC News. 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  3. ^ "Deniz üssüne roketli saldırı! | GAZETE VATAN". www.gazetevatan.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  4. ^ "Timeline: PKK attacks in Turkey". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  5. ^ "İskenderun'da roketatarlı saldırı: 6 şehit". Milliyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  6. ^ "İskenderun'da Hain Saldırı: 6 Şehit". Haberler.com (in Turkish). 31 May 2010. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  7. ^ a b iha.com.tr. "Hatay'da hain saldırı: 6 şehit". İhlas Haber Ajansı (in Turkish). Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  8. ^ "İskenderun'da terör saldırısı: 6 şehit, 7 yaralı". CNN Türk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  9. ^ iha.com.tr. ""İskenderun saldırısı İsrail ajanlarının işi"". İhlas Haber Ajansı (in Turkish). Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  10. ^ Şafak, Yeni (2012-12-20). "İskenderun'da İsrail bağlantısı deşifre oldu". Yeni Şafak (in Turkish). Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  11. ^ McGregor. "Turks Suspect Israeli Role in PKK Attack on Naval Base at Iskenderun | Aberfoyle International Security". Retrieved 2020-11-20.