Heads-Up: ISIS Threatens Ankara

TURKEY - In Brief 02 Oct 2013 by Atilla Yesilada

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The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant or Syria (ISIS) issued a web-based threat to Ankara to re-open two border crossings, Bab-el Hava and Bab-ul Salam, by 8 October or face nationwide suicide bomb attacks.  The threat was issued on a website believed to have in the past communicated such messages, though it hasn’t been authenticated as far as I know.  ISIS also assumed the responsibility for the twin car bombs in Reyhanli that killed 54 Turkish citizens.This is one of my horror scenarios for the winter. I’ve stated in the recent past that-With Obama out of the game, the best tactic for the Shia Axis to regain Syria is to sideline Turkey by escalating terror.-As Northern Syria became the Afghanistan of the Middle East Southern Turkey could mutate into Pakistan.ISIS is  a nihilist terror outfit that has devastated Syrian cities with similar attacks.  Remember that with PKK and Alevites openly renouncing the Reform Package, both the Shia state actors and el Qaeda affiliates would find plenty of volunteers or retired professional terrorists in Turkey to orchestrate/carry out their threats.On the positive side Turkish spy agency and security forces are very adept at identifying suspects in the Western part of the country.Nevertheless, as the March local elections approach, I remain wary of big-ticket terror strikes or mass demonstrations to undermine Erdogan’s support.