Turkish authorities are now on the hunt for a suspect in Monday's deadly bombing in Suruc, which killed 32 and injured dozens more. Officials are pointing the finger directly at ISIS.
Developing: Turkish authorities have identified Suruc suicide bombing suspect, PM Ahmet Davutoglu says.— AJE News (@AJENews) July 21, 2015
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said there was a "high probability" the attack was carried out by a member of ISIS. He told members of the international media on Tuesday that "one suspect has been identified. All the [suspect's] links internationally and domestically are being investigated. We expect this investigation to be concluded as soon as possible."
Davutoğlu added: “What’s necessary will be done against whomever is responsible for [the attack]. Nobody should ever doubt this. This is an attack that targeted Turkey.”
#Turkey's PM Davutoglu says initial findings point to a suicide bombing by ISIS in Suruc, vehemently denies allegations gov support to ISIS.— Emre Peker (@wsjemre) July 20, 2015
While the identity of the suspect was not released, there are conflicting reports as to whether the suspect is a male or female. Turkish media reports claim that an 18-year-old woman, one of three Islamic State suicide bombers who had crossed the border into Turkey in June, is suspected in connection with the bombing.
However, a representative for PM Davutoğlu told the Telegraph that the suspect is male.
"The investigation is still under way but it is a man. We believe he has direct links with ISIL and are looking further into this. We do not believe it is a female bomber," the spokesperson said. "The evidence so far does not show that it is a female. It is most likely a man but the investigation is still continuing. We are awaiting the results of the investigation."
Meanwhile, government officials are facing fierce backlash -- and protests -- from Turkish citizens over intelligence failures. Turkey's National Intelligence Organization issued a warning earlier this year over possible ISIS bombing plots within the country. The fact that Monday's bombing occurred in a town located near Turkey's border with Syria underscored the perceived failure.
A funeral ceremony in Gaziantep on July 21, following a suicide bomb attack in Suruc. #AFP PHOTO by @Kilicbil pic.twitter.com/j6ZZxG4A49— Aurelia BAILLY (@AureliaBAILLY) July 21, 2015