ANKARA — For the first time in years, the U.S. military in Turkey
has been targeted by suspected Islamic insurgents.
A bomb tore through the Turkish-American Friendship Association in Adana
on Monday, injuring at least five Turkish nationals, all but one of them
students. Adana hosts the Incirlik Air Base, which contains a significant
U.S. military presence.
There were no reports of Americans being injured, Middle East Newsline reported. Both the U.S. embassy
in Ankara and the consulate in Adana confirmed the bombing.
This was the first reported attack on a U.S.-related facility since
2003. In June 2003, a Turkish national hurled two grenades into the U.S.
consulate in Adana. There were no reports of serious injuries.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack in Adana.
Turkish security sources said they suspected Al Qaida-aligned elements.
The United States has sought to expand the use of Incirlik, which hosts
10 military refueling aircraft. Turkey has refused to allow Washington to
employ Incirlik for attack operations.
On Jan. 1, the Defense Department ended a special stipend for U.S.
soldiers in Turkey. The bonus compensated soldiers for serving in what had
been deemed a high-risk area.
