| 2010 Istanbul bombing | |
|---|---|
 View of Taksim Square | |
 Interactive map of 2010 Istanbul bombing | |
| Location | Taksim Square,Istanbul, Turkey |
| Date | 31 October 2010 10:34 (UTC+2) |
Attack type | Suicide bombing |
| Deaths | 1 (the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 32[1] |
| Perpetrator | Kurdistan Freedom Hawks[2] |
| Suicide attacks in Turkey |
|---|
 Aftermath of the Suruç bombing in 2015 |
| Groups responsible |
| Attacks |
The2010 Istanbul bomb blast was asuicide bombing that took place onTaksim Square inIstanbul,Turkey on 31 October 2010. The bomb resulted in at least 32 injuries, 15 of whom werepolice officers[1][3] and was claimed by aKurdish secessionist group known as theKurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK).[4]
The explosion occurred in Taksim Square on the European side of the city. The blast was reportedly a suicide bombing, targeting theriot officers and police vehicles typically stationed in the area.[5] Multiple additionalexplosive devices were reportedly discovered at the scene of the incident after bomb squads examined the area.[5]
Seventeen of the injured werecivilians, while fifteen were police.[1]
Initially, there were no official confirmations as to who carried out the attack, though many speculated thatleft-wing groups or theKurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were responsible. PKK never confirmed that they had organised the attack.[6]
The day was significant as it was the day of final celebrations forRepublic Day, marking the declaration of independence for the Turkish Republic, and Turkish PresidentAbdullah Gül was due to arrive at a nearby location.[7] The timing could also be significant since a unilateral ceasefire by the PKK declared two months earlier was due to expire on 31 October.[7] The PKK, however, denied responsibility,[8] with its spokesman, Roj Qandil, saying he had no "idea" about the bombing. The PKK also declared it was extending the unilateral ceasefire till the2011 Turkish general election.[9]
The TAK released a statement on their website claiming responsibility for the attack. The statement said that"We as TAK claim responsibility for the action carried out against the police force of Turkish fascism at Istanbul's Taksim Square on 31 Oct 2010." The PKK denied involvement in the attack.[4]
Turkey –Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip Erdoğan said "Those who threaten Turkey's peace, security and development will not be tolerated."[1]
Arab League –Secretary-General of the Arab LeagueAmr Moussa condemned the attack and said that attack was "unacceptable".[10]
Human Rights Watch – HRW (Human Rights Watch) condemned the attack.[10]
Israel – Israeli embassy in Turkey condemned the attack and said "We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack that was carried out indiscriminately."[10]
Jordan –King of JordanAbdullah II sent a message to thenPrime Minister of TurkeyAhmet Davutoğlu and condemned the attack.[10]
Kurdistan Regional Government – TheKurdistan Regional Government condemned the attack in a statement saying "The Kurdistan Region Presidency strongly condemns theterrorist attack that was perpetrated in central Istanbul on Sunday, wounding a large number of civilians and policemen. We send our sympathies to the victims and their families."[11]
Kuwait – Kuwait's DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Salem Al-Sabah sent a message toTurkish Foreign MinisterAhmet Davutoğlu denouncing the attack as a "terrorist crime."[12]
Russia –President of RussiaVladimir Putin condemned the attack.[10]
South Africa –PresidentJacob Zuma stated: "As thegovernment and the people of South Africa, we reach out in thoughts and prayers to thegovernment and peoples of Turkey and wishing those wounded a speedy recovery. Violence and any other form of terrorist attacks will not advance world peace and stability in any country."[13]
United States –United States Secretary of StateHillary Clinton condemned the bombing, while also pledging to continue working with Turkey to "combatviolent extremism. This is a shocking crime and the people of the United States stand in solidarity with our friends, the people of Turkey."[3]{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)41°02′13″N28°59′05″E / 41.03694°N 28.98465°E /41.03694; 28.98465
