13 detained for Turkish bombings, death toll rises to 51
Ankara blame Saturday's attacks on a unnamed Marxist group with links to Syrian intelligence; Damascus denies responsibility
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s prime minister says authorities have detained four more people in connection with two car bomb attacks in a Turkish town near the Syrian border, bringing the number of suspects in custody to 13.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also says Tuesday the death toll in the attacks has increased to 51.
Turkish authorities have blamed Saturday’s attacks on a Marxist group with alleged links to the Syrian intelligence agency, but have not named the group. Syria has denied any responsibility for the bombings. Erdogan said the suspects are all Turkish citizens.
Erdogan reiterated that Turkey would act in a “cool-headed” manner although it was “powerful, determined and experienced enough to make the culprits pay” for the attacks.
He said investigators are also probing possible security negligence by authorities.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.