Turkey toughens security measures
By Nigar Abbasova
Recent bloody attacks on Istanbul Ataturk Airport brought the issue of security measures provision to the forefront.
Despite the fact that terror attacks occur in many countries and no country in the world is totally secured against the threat of terrorism, some segments of the country’s population blame the government for insufficient provision of security.
Commenting on the issue the Turkish PM Binali Yıldırım said that there were no omissions from the point of view of security measures provision at the airport.
“The Istanbul assailants could not pass the security checks at the entrance of the airport. The assailants opened fire on security personnel at the entrance after they could not pass the checks. One of them blew himself up outside, while the other two took advantage of the panic during gunfire to enter, and blew themselves up inside,” Yildirim said.
Nevertheless, the prime minister added that the attack testified for the need to enhance security at airports, especially against potential armed attacks.
Meanwhile, CNN Turk reported that Turkey’s intelligence service gave advance notice about the imminent threat of terror attack at the Istanbul Airport by the Islamic State Terrorist organization.
Although air traffic at the airport was resumed on June 29 the attack caused certain problems for the busy transit hub.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport which is considered to be one of the primary strategic objects of the country as well as the 3rd busiest airport in Europe serves as one of the main transfer points on global routes.
The Airport has security checks with X-ray machines and metal detectors both at the entrance to the terminal, before the check-in counters and in passport control area.
Turkish Airlines which is considered to be a global player and has a primary role in making Istanbul a major global hub linking North America, Asia, Europe and Africa was forced to cancel more than 340 flights.
The attack at the airport became the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings that occurred this year in Turkey. The airport had been shut for several hours following the attack that triggered delays and cancellation of hundreds of flights.
The country has stepped up security measures following a deadly terrorist attack that shot dead 42 people and injured 147. Three suicide bombers launched a major attack at the Ataturk Airport, spraying bullets into crowds of terrified passengers and security personnel before blowing themselves up.Thirteen of the killed are foreigners. Turkish, Saudi Arabian, Iraqi, Tunisian, Uzbek, Iranian, Jordanian and Ukrainian citizens are among the killed.
The “Islamic State” (IS, ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group is believed to stand behind the attack. Turkey has experienced a series of bombing attacks recently, linked to Isis or Kurdish militants.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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