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.