Timing of Reyhanlı attack ‘not coincidence’: Turkish foreign minister

ISTANBUL

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu speaks during a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh May 10. Davutoğlu pointed to Syria as the possible perpetrator of the deadly attacks that hit the Hatay province on May 11. AFP photo

A deadly attack in the Turkish border town of Reyhanlı earlier today killing at least 43 is not a coincidence, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said, warning against provocations amid changes in neighboring Syria.
 
“Such provocation can [come to mind] in such a critical transition phase regarding Syria. It is not a coincidence that this happened when diplomatic traffic is intensifying. We invite our citizens to be prudent. The incident will be investigated,” Davutoğlu told reporters during his Germany visit. 

He also said the attack took place at the same time as Turkey was conducting a peace process on the Kurdish issue.
 
Asked about the possible perpetrator of the attack, Davutoğlu pointed to Syria. “Many forces could want to disrupt the peace in Turkey. But none of them will succeed, and we will give a response. We will take the adequate measures,” he said.
 
Interior Minister Muammer Güler earlier told reporters that two car bombs were set off in front of the municipality building in Reyhanlı. Other reports indicated that there were three or more explosions.