The Mastermind Behind the Istanbul Bombing Dies In an Ambush by Turkish Intelligence Special Forces in Syria

Residents gathered at the location of the Istanbul bombing in memory of the victims. (Wikimedia Commons/Kurmanbek)

JAKARTA - The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) succeeded in killing Halil Menco, a PKK/YPG terrorist who played a key role in planning and executing the bombing in Istanbul last year, security sources said Friday.

Menci, who directed the Istanbul bombers Ahlam Albashir and Bilal Hassan, then allowed Hassan to flee abroad, was neutralized in a special operation in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli which is under the control of the PYD/YPG, according to information obtained from security sources, as reported by Anadolu on February 24.

It said the MIT special operations team had been following Menci closely after it was discovered that he was being sheltered by the terror group and in contact with senior members of the YPG.

As previously reported, the November 13 explosion occurred on Istanbul's bustling Istiklal Avenue, a popular street lined with shops and restaurants, killing six people, including two children, with more than 80 injured, citing The National News.

Turkish authorities have blamed the fatal explosion on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, as well as Syrian-Kurdish groups affiliated with it. The Kurdish militant group has denied involvement.

In its nearly 40-year campaign of terror against Turkey, the PKK - which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union - has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40.000 people, including women, children, and infants.