Turkish security services thwarted the infiltration of five “terrorists” from Syria to the Mardin border state in southeastern Turkey.
“The armed forces and Gendarmerie Command squads in Mardin province launched technical and physical surveillance upon receiving intelligence from the National Intelligence Organization (MIT),” read a statement by the Mardin governor’s office.
According to the statement, the MIT warned that five terrorists would cross from Syria to carry out a bombing in Turkey. Security forces intercepted them as they were trying to illegally enter the Senyurt neighborhood in Kiziltepe district near the Syrian border.
They managed to escape, leaving behind all the material they were going to use in their attacks.
Fifteen kilograms of explosives, 9,200 Syrian pounds ($18), four SIM cards, nine batteries, three improvised and six electronic detonators were found among other materials, the statement added.
Turkish security forces had raised the alert level along the border areas following a terrorist operation targeting Turkish forces at Dogubayazit town, near the Gurbulak border gate with Iran, on March 31.
The attack damaged a natural gas pipeline and halted gas flows from Iran to Turkey, and left 30 Turkish soldiers dead and destroyed 30 armored vehicles.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by a suicide bomber.
