47 suspects detained in anti-terror operations in Turkey after Ankara blast

Istanbul: At least 47 suspects have been detained in anti-terror operations across Turkey following the deadly suicide bombing in Ankara, the country’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported today. [caption id=“attachment_2673068” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Damaged vehicles at the scene of explosion in Ankara. AP[/caption] In Istanbul, police backed by helicopters arrested at least 20 people suspected of having links to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK. The agency reported that Istanbul’s anti-terrorism directorate said there were lawyers among those detained. Turkish police also carried out raids in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, detaining 17 people, including students, in operations against the PKK and its youth wing. Another 10 were detained in anti-PKK operations in the western Manisa province, including the local co-chairs of the HDP, an opposition pro-Kurdish party. Wednesday’s raids come after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would “redefine” terrorism so that legal action can be taken against anyone supporting terrorism, including legislators, academics and journalists. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in Ankara on Sunday that killed 37 people. AP