06 Sep 2017 | 10:23 AM UTC
Turkey: Attempted suicide bomber shot dead in Mersin September 6
Attempted suicide bomber, suspected Islamic State militant, shot dead in Mersin province September 6
Event
An attempted suicide bomber, suspected of planning an attack against a police station in the Yenisehir district of the southern province of Mersin, was shot dead on Wednesday, September 6. According to local police, the suspect was wearing a suicide vest when he was detected by police. The attempted bomber is believed to be an Islamic State (IS) militant.
Context
The security situation in Turkey remains precarious due to a resurgence of violence in recent years notably in the south and southeastern provinces of the country. A state of emergency has been effect since July 20, 2016, following an attempted coup d'état by members of the armed forces.
Turkey has suffered a number of terrorist attacks since the country's intervention began in northern Syria against the Islamic State. On January 1, an IS militant launched at attack on a nightclub in Istanbul, killing 39 people and injuring 69 others.
Moreover, since 2015, clashes between Kurdish militants, notably the PKK, and government security forces have increased after a ceasefire fell apart. The PKK, formed in the late 1970s, has waged a three decade insurgency calling for an independent Kurdish state within Turkey. It is regarded as a terrorist organization by the EU, Turkey, and the US.
Advice
Individuals in Mersin province are advised to keep abreast of the situation, remain vigilant, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities, and all potential protests.
Due to the Turkish government's ongoing conflicts with the PKK as well as the Islamic State (IS), most Western governments advise against all travel to the city of Diyarbakır and areas along the Syrian and Iraqi borders, as well as nonessential travel to the provinces of Şırnak, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Hatay, Siirt, Tunceli, and Hakkâri. The threat of terrorism remains present throughout Turkey. Travelers should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities, and avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.
