Suicide vests and explosives found on group of men, women and children crossing from Syria into Turkey
Turkish authorities have not confirmed any link to terrorism and an investigation is underway
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Your support makes all the difference.Suicide vests and explosives have reportedly been found with a group of men, women and children crossing from Syria into Turkey.
Security forces stopped the group of 34 people near the town of Oguzeli, in Gaziantep province, the Anadolu news agency reported.
A search of their luggage revealed four suicide vests and up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of explosives, security sources said.
The group of four men, 10 women and 20 children were detained for questioning and police have not revealed any further details.
It was not clear when they were detained but Anadolu reported that security forces had acted on a tip about plans to smuggle explosives across the border.
There was no information on the group’s nationalities but BBC foreign correspondent Debbie Randle wrote on Twitter that they were all believed to be foreigners and not Syrians.
The discovery was expected to spark speculation about Isis involvement, as the group’s territories lie over the nearby border.
Thousands of foreign fighters have travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State, with some taking their families and children, or marrying “jihadi brides” after arrival.
Returning Isis members, including the Paris attackers, are also known to have passed over the border into Turkey and travelled onwards back into Europe.
Turkish authorities have not given any information on possible links to terrorism and the investigation continues.
Additional reporting by agencies
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