Istanbul Terrorist Attacks (2003)

One of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Europe in recent years, the Istanbul terrorist attacks are characterized by two separate bombings: the first on November 15, 2003, and the second on November 20, leaving 57 people dead and around 700 people wounded. Because the event occurred in Istanbul, the largest cultural and economic city in Turkey, the event was named the Istanbul Terrorist Attacks or the Istanbul Bombings. While some national, regional, and international terrorist groups claimed responsibility for the strikes, those claims were denied by Turkish officials, and it is still not completely clear today who stood behind the bombings.

The bombing on Saturday morning, November 15, targeted two synagogues, Neve Shalom and Beth Israel, which were exceptionally full on that day. The attack was carried out by two trucks filled with explosives made of ammonium sulfate and nitrate, mixed with fuel oil. The two blasts, which hit the synagogues almost simultaneously, killed 27 people (six Jews among them) and left approximately 300 others injured. Despite the fact that the blast targeted Jews, most of the victims were Turkish Muslims. Initially, a Turkish terrorist group called the Islamic Great Eastern Raiders Front (IBDA-C) claimed responsibility for the event, though Turkish officials denied it on the grounds that the group did not have the resources and was not capable of carrying out such an event. The Turkish Hizbullah was also among groups claiming credit for the strikes.

[Page 363][Page 364]The bombing on Thursday morning, November 20, targeted the British Consulate and Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) headquarters, which coincided with former U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to the United Kingdom. The bombing was again carried out by two trucks exploding only a few minutes apart, killing 30 people and leaving around 400 wounded. The British Consul-General Roger Short was among the dead. Jointly with the terrorist group Al Qaeda, IBDA-C again claimed responsibility for the strikes. These claims were again denied by Turkish officials, who especially stressed that Al Qaeda did not have any base in Turkey to carry on the event, and that no clear links were identified. At the same time, none of the bombings were claimed by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and no related ties were identified.

The investigations ended up with about 70 people being charged, seven of whom were Al Qaeda associates, and sentenced to life prison. Six of them were Turkish citizens, namely Harun Ilhan, Fevzi Yitiz, Yusuf Polat, Baki Yigit, Osman Eken, and Adnan Ersoz. One was a Syrian national named Louia Sakka, who is alleged to be the mastermind and financial supporter for both attacks. At the end of the trials, 26 people were acquitted. The rest of the defendants were sentenced to imprisonment, varying from three to 18 years.

While the Istanbul bombings were carried out in a Muslim-populated country, the motive behind the attacks is believed to be political in nature. Some arguments focus on Turkish domestic politics, pointing to some hostile circles that intended to hamper the incumbent government's successful efforts to stabilize internal affairs.

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