Turkey blames Isil for Suruc suicide bomb

TURKISH authorities believe the suicide bomber responsible for killing 32 youth activists in Suruc on Monday was a young man recently lured into joining Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish prime minister, who is facing calls to do more to block the border between Turkey and parts of Syria held by Isil, said a suspect had been identified. “All the suspect’s links, internationally and domestically, are being investigated,” he said, adding that there was a “high probability” the suspect was linked to Isil – the first time a major attack inside Turkey has been definitively ascribed to the group.

An aide told The Daily Telegraph that the suspect was a man, confounding early reports that an 18-year-old woman was responsible. A photograph of an identity card said to be that of the bomber circulated on the internet, ac- cording to which he was a 20-year-old Turkish man.

A local news agency said he was thought to have joined Isil just two months ago.

“The investigation is still under way but it is probably a man,” the aide said. “We believe he has direct links with Isil and are looking further into this.”

Turkish intelligence had previously issued a warning that seven Isil members had crossed the border intent on carrying out suicide bombings.