Group linked to PKK, YPG claims responsibility for newspaper attack in Istanbul

A little-known militant group linked to a left-wing terrorist organization and the Syrian PKK affiliate Democratic Union Party's (PYD) armed People's Protection Units (YPG), have claimed responsibility for recent attacks on two Turkish newspapers early Thursday.

The Aziz Güler Freedom Force Militia released a statement to websites linked with the PKK in which the group claims responsibility for the attacks on the Yeni Şafak and Yeni Akit newspaper offices in Istanbul.

The group is also responsible for a December bombing that targeted a charity organization in Istanbul. The organization is known for delivering humanitarian aid to the Bayırbucak Turkmen community in Syria and was targeted for alleged links to DAESH, according to the militia group.

Aziz Güler, a former commander for the United Freedom Forces (BÖG), was killed last year while fighting against DAESH in Syria. Güler is known for his participation in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. The organization bearing his name is also tied to the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP), which Ankara has formally declared a terrorist organization. Several MLKP members are also active in the Aziz Güler Freedom Force Militia. The MLKP was responsible for a foiled bomb attack targeting the Star newspaper's headquarters in Istanbul last year.

Star, Yeni Şafak and Yeni Akit are known for their anti-PKK coverage and have faced threats in the past by the terrorist organization. The PKK, which is currently running a violent campaign of terrorism throughout the southeast, actively supports militant groups in northern Syria.

On Thursday, masked assailants threw Molotov cocktails at and opened fire on the headquarters of Yeni Şafak and Yeni Akit in two Istanbul districts in attacks carried out within 30 minutes of each other in the early hours of Thursday morning. No casualties were reported in the attacks, which began as a small fire and spread, damaging the buildings' exteriors.

The police have launched an investigation into the two attacks but declined to give a statement regarding the affiliation of the suspects. Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş said in a tweet that he strongly condemns the attacks by "members of the terrorist organization."