Two Islamic State militants behind deadly attacks in Turkey possibly left Syria's Raqqa - Reports

On October 14, the US-led coalition announced an evacuation from Raqqa to 'minimize civilian casualties' in the final stages of the counterterrorism offensive.
Monday, 20 November 2017 20:41

The two members of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group responsible for the deadly attacks in Turkey may have been part of the group of militants that was allowed to withdraw from the Syrian city of Raqqa after its liberation, Turkish media reported Monday citing its sources.

The whereabouts of İlhami Balı and Mustafa Dokumacı, who are on Turkey's wanted list with a red notice for ordering several attacks that resulted in the deaths of more than 140 people in Turkey, are currently unknown. Turkish intelligence MİT has issued a warning claiming that these two jihadists could infiltrate Turkey and continue their terrorist activities, according to the reports.

On October 14, the US-led coalition announced an evacuation from Raqqa to minimize civilian casualties in the final stages of the counterterrorism offensive. The US-led coalition said the agreement had been brokered by the Raqqa civil council and local Arab tribal elders.

Last week, the BBC news outlet reported that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias had allowed about 250 jihadists to leave the Syrian city of Raqqa in October. 

On November 14, US Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon said that U.S. officials did not participate in the withdrawal negotiations but had attended discussions on the deal.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Friday that the Pentagon’s claims that the United States was not involved in the evacuation of terrorists were not convincing.