Turkey - Death toll rises to 40 as explosions hit Turkish town on border with Syria

Turkey - Death toll rises to 40 as explosions hit Turkish town on border with Syria.(HD).The death toll from suspected twin car bombs that hit the southern province of Hatay’s Reyhanlı district on the Turkish-Syrian border has risen to 40, Turkish Interior Minister said today. At least 100 people were injured, 29 of whom are in critical condition, he added.

The town center of Reyhanlı, which is hosting many Syrians fleeing the conflict in the Arab republic, was the target of deadly explosions at around 1:45 p.m. local time. Bombs were set off near the municipality, causing major damage to buildings in the town center. A wooden building close to the municipality collapsed following the explosions, while power has reportedly been cut in the town.

The explosions were likely caused by two cars filled with explosives, Güler told reporters in his first remarks after the attacks, but other reports indicated that there were three or more explosions. Güler also said they had preliminary information about the source of the attacks. Police took heavy security measures after the explosions.

The explosions caused massive panic in Reyhanlı, leading many locals to try and leave town, according to reports. Scuffles were also reported between locals and Syrians, as tensions had been mounting ahead of the attacks.

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Meanwhile, Turkish politicians warned against provocations and suggested that the attack might have been aimed at Turkey’s ongoing peace process.

“We have started a resolution process in our country, and there are those who don’t accept this new era,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said after the attacks.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said Syria could be behind the attacks. “Bashar al-Assad with his Mukhabarat [Syrian intelligence agency] is the usual suspect in planning and carrying out such an attack,” Arınç said.

"If it is proven that al-Assad is responsible [for the attack], we will do what is necessary," he said.

Turkish President Abdullah Gül also called for people to “be vigilant to provocations,” while Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, a Hatay deputy, said the attacks “were intentional.”

Speaking during a visit to Germany, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said the timing of the attack was not a coincidence. “The diplomatic traffic [on Syria] is intensifying,” he said.Hmmmmm......Just in time for Erdogan's visit to the US and to ask for a US led boots on the ground offensive in Syria.Read the full story here.