9 Turkish citizens detained over Reyhanlı bombs, more wanted.

9 Turkish citizens detained over Reyhanlı bombs, more wanted.(HD).Nine suspects, all Turkish citizens, have been detained over alleged connections to the Reyhanlı bombs on May 11 that killed 46 people, with officials still looking for a few more, according to Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay.

Accompanied by Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Interior Minister Muammer Güler and Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, Atalay told members of the press that the nine suspects had been identified through their own confessions and statements.

Atalay also said 38 of the victims had been identified, three of which are Syrian citizens. “What is aimed at here is provocative sensation, an attempt to form negativity toward the refugees. Citizens must beware of that.”

Güler added that one of the nine suspects detained was the person who planned the incident and was involved in hiding the vehicle.

“Since yesterday, an atmosphere has been created as if other organizations had been claiming the act. It has nothing to do with the Syrian refugees or the Syrian opposition,” Güler said.

Over 732 workplaces, 62 vehicles, eight public buildings and 120 individual houses have been damaged by the explosions, Güler added, assuring citizens that the damage would be taken care of by state officials in the framework of the related laws.

Müezzinoğlu said 155 wounded have applied to hospitals, with 55 of them still receiving treatment. Seven of those are Syrian nationals, he added. Twenty-four people are still in critical condition, he said.Hmmmm.....“Muslims don’t resort to terror. There is no Islamic terror.” (Various dates) - Prime Minister Erdoğan.Read the full story here.

Death toll rises to 43 as explosions hit Turkish town, Officials confirm link with Syrian intelligence.

Death toll rises to 43 as explosions hit Turkish town, Officials confirm link with Syrian intelligence.(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 43, Turkish Deputy Prime Ministrer Beşir Atalay said today. More than 100 were injured, 56 of whom are still being treated, 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. Police took heavy security measures after the explosions.

The explosions were likely caused by two cars filled with explosives, Interior Minister Muammer Güler told reporters after the attacks, but other reports indicated that there were three or more explosions.

However, Güler said that the third explosion was unrelated to the twin blasts. "The third explosion was a car's fuel tank. It had nothing to do with the events," he said.

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.

It was confirmed that the perpetrators were linked to the Syrian regime and intelligence agency, Güler was also quoted as saying by the public broadcaster TRT.

Atalay also confirmed that the attackers were linked to the Syrian intelligence organization, known as the Mukhabarat. He added that they were from inside Turkey. “The organization is known, who they are is also known to a great extent. It is abolutely certain that [the attack] has nothing to do with Syrian refugees,” Atalay said.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said Syria could be behind the attacks. “Bashar al-Assad with his Mukhabarat 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.Read the full story here.

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.

Assad regime 'Usual suspect': Deputy PM

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.

Video - 18 killed, 22 injured as explosions rock Turkish town on Syrian border.

Video - 18 killed, 22 injured as explosions rock Turkish town on Syrian border.HT: RussiaToday. No one has claimed responsibility yet for Saturday's bomb attack; an investigation has been launched.
Five people, three of whom are Syrians, have been arrested in connection to the blasts, local channel NTV reported. In a comment on the attacks, the Turkish Foreign Minister warned against “testing Turkey’s power.” "No one should attempt to test Turkey's power. Our security forces will take all necessary measures," Reuters quoted Ahmet Davutoglu as saying.

18 killed, 22 injured as explosions rock Turkish town on Syrian border – officials.

18 killed, 22 injured as explosions rock Turkish town on Syrian border – officials.(RT).

The cause of the explosions is unknown........yeah.

Initial reports said that many casualties were taken to nearby hospitals by ambulance, according to a local newspaper. Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu said at least 15 ambulances rushed to the scene to help the injured, AP reported.

A municipality building was severely damaged by one of the explosions. The other blast struck near a post office building, Reyhanli Mayor Huseyin Sanverdi said.

It remains unclear how many explosions took place with conflicting reports of two and four blasts emerging.

"Two car [bombs] were set off in front of the municipality," Interior Minister Muammer Güler said.

Reyhanli, a town of about 60,000 in Hatay province just across the border from Syria's Idlib province, has come under attack several times in recent months. In February, a mortar round landed near the border, killing 13 and injuring 33.

In a comment on the attacks, the Turkish Foreign Minister warned against “testing Turkey’s power.”

"No one should attempt to test Turkey's power. Our security forces will take all necessary measures," Reuters quoted Ahmet Davutoglu as saying.

No one has claimed responsibility yet for Saturday's bomb attack; an investigation has been launched. 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.

Update: Explosions hit Turkish town on border with Syria, killing at least 18

Realated: Timing of Reyhanlı attack ‘not coincidence’: Turkish foreign minister

A deadly attack in the Turkish border town of Reyhanlı earlier today killing at least 18 is not a coincidence, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said, warning against provocations amid changes in neighboring Syria.

“Such provocation can [come to mind] in such a critical transition phase regarding Syria. It is not a coincidence that this happened when diplomatic traffic is intensifying. We invite our citizens to be prudent. The incident will be investigated,” said Davutoğlu.