Terrorist attacks in Türkiye: An analysis of counter-terrorism medicine

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this research was to perform a counter-terrorism medicine analysis of terrorist attacks in Türkiye. Methods: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional research. The study population consisted of terrorist incidents that occurred in Türkiye, as provided by the START Global Terrorism Database for the period from 1970 to 2020. Various characteristics of terror attacks in Türkiye were analyzed and presented in tabular form. Results: Over the past 51 years, there have been a total of 4,485 terrorist incidents, with 91.2% reaching their intended targets as orchestrated by terrorist organizations in Türkiye. Of these incidents, 2,767 had detrimental economic impacts. Additionally, 17,570 individuals experienced adverse medical effects. Among the 81 provinces in Turkey, Istanbul witnessed the highest number of terrorist incidents and suffered the most significant medical consequences. Conclusion: Türkiye has been significantly impacted by terrorist incidents over the past fifty years especially within the last decade, particularly in metropolitan provinces like Istanbul. These events have negatively affected both the health and economic well-being of many individuals. In response, while the country has implemented various security measures and preparedness strategies to mitigate such incidents, there is also a critical need to improve the readiness of healthcare services to effectively handle the potential consequences of terrorist attacks. This includes advancing anti-terror medicine and tactical medicine capabilities, as well as strengthening mass casualty management systems. Such improvements will ensure a more effective and coordinated response to large-scale emergencies, ultimately saving lives and reducing the long-term impacts on society.