Analysis: Bomb Blasts Rock Instanbul, Turkey

by DEBKAfile

20 November 2003

Up to five bomb blasts in Istanbul Thursday with more than 170 casualties. At least 10 killed in blasts that seriously damaged British consulate and razed buildings, 5 in two explosions that destroyed part of London-based HSBC bank branch in northern Istanbul, fifth blast in Metro City shopping mall in residential area which is also Jewish neighborhood.

Straw reports 3-4 British consulate staffers missing. Bush London schedule is changed after Istanbul multi-casualty terror strike. Istanbul stock exchange stops trading. European bourses drop. DEBKAfile: Al Qaeda times coordinated terrorist offensive against US ally Turkey for Bush visit to London five days after synagogue blasts killed 25, injured 300. Six Turk extremists charged with Saturday attacks.