Forces Disable Bomb in Vehicle in Southeast Turkey

Local Editor

Turkish bomb-disposal experts disabled an explosive device in a vehicle found overnight near a government building in southeast Turkey, security sources Friday as a recent spate of bomb attacks prompted security warnings in major cities.

The vehicle was found with 150 kg of explosives in the town of Hani in the mainly Kurdish region's Diyarbakir province, the sources said. Police were examining security cameras in the area as part of the investigation.

Kurdish armed group earlier Thursday claimed the Sunday suicide bombing in Ankara that killed 37 people and warned of further attacks, while Germany shut down its diplomatic missions and schools in Turkey.

For its part, the US embassy in Ankara issued a statement overnight saying its citizens "should be mindful of their security precautions," noting Kurdish New Year [Newroz] celebrations taking place this weekend and saying large events can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

"The US Embassy also reminds individuals that terrorist organizations have targeted transportation hubs, Turkish government facilities, and public spaces in the recent past," it said.

The recent suicide bombing was the second in a month in the heart of Ankara claimed by Kurdish armed groups, opening a dangerous new phase in Turkey's war with Kurdish militants as deadly attacks spread to its biggest cities well beyond the southeast where conflict is usually focused.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team