Bombing Kills Security Forces in Istanbul

A remotely detonated car bomb destroyed a Turkish police bus in the capital of Istanbul, in the early hours of Tuesday, June 7th. The bombing took place near the capital city’s historic Beyazit Square, a neighborhood known as a local tourist attraction.

The attack, claimed by the TAK – the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, took the lives of 11 people: four civilians and seven security officers. Another thirty-six were injured, and some are still in critical condition at nearby medical facilities.

So far, four witnesses are in custody, but no further statements were released to the Turkish media.

Despite TAK claims to the attack, western intelligence services, as well as the Turkish government, believe the crime was carried out by the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), a group well known for its violence against the Turkish government.

Since 1984, the PKK has been fighting the Turkish government as a separatist movement seeking their own Kurdish nation. By 2013, the fighting had come to a cease-fire which lasted until July of 2015. Since then, violence between the PKK and Turkish security forces has killed hundreds of citizens and soldiers on both sides.

At the behest of top Kurdish leadership, PKK militias have conducted terrorist activities inside Turkish borders, mostly towards police forces, claiming a March 31st attack in Ankara; however, Turkish intelligence officials suggest they are the root of more terrorist activity than they take credit for.

The origins of the TAK are often speculated about, but it was originally thought to be a group that stemmed from the PKK. In recent years, the Kurdish Freedom Hawks has been known for their tactic of striking civilian centers and robust areas of human traffic, as opposed to the PKK method of attacking areas where civilian casualties are low.

In March of 2016, Head PKK official Zagros Hiwas provided The Middle East Eye with a quasi-denial, saying the group could not “speak about TAK because we don’t have information about them.”

Turkish analysts like Metin Gurcan – a former military adviser, suggest otherwise, noting it would be unlikely TAK operates outside the control or knowledge of the PKK. Gurcan suggests that though the groups have operational differences, TAK is a “semi-autonomous” subsidiary to the larger Kurdish Worker’s Party, relying heavily on the PKK for vital resources and military training.

Evidence of PKK links to TAK terrorist activities can be seen in other avenues as well, such as the March 13th car bombing in Ankara. Turkish authorities alleged that the bomb which killed 37 people, was detonated by a PKK operative. If true, it would mean the attack took place as part of a coordinated effort with the Kurdish Worker’s Party.

In spite of the Turkish authorities’ allegations, the TAK claimed March Ankara bombing, which does not bear resemblance to the traditional kinds of attacks PKK is willing to take credit for.

Later in March, the PKK terrorist group did take responsibility for a car bombing that killed only Turkish security forces. Such an attack with minimal civilian casualties represents PKK efforts to only strike armed forces of the Turkish government. Similarly, Tuesday’s attack indicates signs of PKK’s method of targeting police centers and security forces.

If the attacks were in fact carried out by the PKK, efforts of the TAK to claim the attack could stem from their desire to bolster their own image following a successful attack against Turkish forces. Another factor could be the PKK’s desire to not be viewed as a group that targets and kills civilians; leaving the Freedom Hawks free to claim the more controversial attacks.

Ultimately, the attacks in Istanbul represent the violent efforts of Kurdish groups to create their own state at a time when self-determination and separatist movements have gained extraordinary momentum in the middle east.