Turkish chief of general staff discusses Istanbul terrorist attack with US counterpart

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish chief of general staff held a phone call Monday with his US counterpart on the terrorist attack in Istanbul, which left six people dead and 81 others injured.

In a statement, Joint Staff spokesman Col. Dave Butler said Gen. Yasar Guler and US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley discussed "the recent terror attack in Istanbul and reaffirmed the strength of our bilateral military relationship" in the call.

Sunday's deadly explosion that took place on Istiklal Avenue in Beyoglu district was carried out by the YPG/PYD/PKK terrorist organization, according to Turkish authorities. The suspect, a Syrian woman, has been arrested, said Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the terror group's Syrian offshoot.