Bomb Drop on Istanbul’s Popular Shopping Strip: Six Lives Lost, 22 Arrested
What the Interior Minister Spoke About
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu put the blame on Kurdish militants, claiming that the orders for the explosion blew up right on Istiklal Avenue – the very spot where every tourist checks selfies and every shopkeeper keeps the trend‑setting scarves going. He said the command line came all the way from Kobani, a city in northern Syria that’s been a hotspot for Turkish military ops against the YPG/YPG militia.
Aftermath – Who’s Locked For What?
- 22 suspects were booked, including the one who planted the bomb.
- The bomber’s trail led through Afrin before the device hit the bustling avenue.
- Two of the wounded are in intensive care; 31 still recover in hospital.
- Fifty people were sent home from the four‑hour chaos, but the city’s streets still tasted of panic.
Scenes from the Chaos
Video footage snapped the moment the blast erupted at 4:13 pm (13:13 GMT), sending sparks up like fireworks. The Brisbane‑style urban jungle of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district was suddenly an evacuation zone – ambulances and police stamping out the line like a well‑planned parade gone wrong.
The Wider Picture – Turkey, YPG, & The PKK
- Turkey says the YPG is a wing of the PKK, a long‑running insurgency that has cost more than 40,000 lives since 1984.
- Three Turkish incursions in Syria aimed at erasing YPG influence have peeled on land, with the latest coming in 2019.
- President Erdogan hinted at “back‑to‑the‑future” targeting of the YPG this year.
- The PKK is on terrorist watchlists by Turkey, the EU & the US.
International Sound‑Off
Reactions from around the globe—Azerbaijan, Britain, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Pakistan, and Ukraine—floated in like a collective “We’re sorry” screen‑display. While the attack shook the city, many shared heartfelt condolences for the victims.
Why Istiklal Still Stands Strong
Even with a painful reminder of security threats, Istiklal Avenue still beats like a heart. Between trams, chocolate‑filled cafés, and the smell of fresh baklava, I guess Istanbul’s hustle keeps the city moving fast enough to forget the dark moments—if only for a little while.
