Lone wolf or far-right plot: Who is behind mass knife attack in Türkiye?

On Monday an 18-year-old assailant carried out a brutal attack that left five injured in Eskisehir. This marked the first incident of its kind in the country. Despite being ranked the 10th safest city globally by Numbeo, Eskisehir became the scene of the first hatred motivated mass knife attack in Türkiye.

But what drove this young man to commit such an atrocity? His actions bear the hallmarks of far-right extremism, raising questions about whether this was a lone-wolf attack or part of a more organized, insidious movement. 

A disturbing manifesto: ‘The Mass Cleaner Handbook’ 

Prior to the attack, the assailant published a 16-page manifesto titled “The Mass Cleaner Handbook”. The cover of this document featured the Nazi SS symbol, a clear indication of the extremist ideology that fueled his actions. In the manifesto, he makes a  declaration: “Don’t believe the lies of the filthy Jewish media. This is a lone wolf attack.” 

This statement not only reveals his disdain for the media but also suggests a deliberate attempt to distance himself from any organized group, even as his actions and rhetoric align closely with far-right extremism. 

Targets include Communist Party and refugees

Initially, the attacker had set his sights on the Turkish Communist Party’s building, a target symbolic of his ideological hatred. However, the manifesto also reveals his broader ambitions.

He planned to bomb a migrant registration center, a clear reflection of his anti-immigrant stance. The document goes further, advocating for the targeting and killing of migrants in their homes, a horrifying call to violence against one of Türkiye’s most vulnerable populations. 

Breivik, Tarrant referred to as saints

In his manifesto, the attacker reveres two of the most infamous far-right terrorists in recent history: Brenton Tarrant, who carried out the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand, and Anders Breivik, the Norwegian extremist responsible for the 2011 attacks that killed 77 people. The attacker refers to these men as “saints,” positioning himself within a lineage of hate-fueled violence. 

Describes himself as ‘misanthrope’

The manifesto also provides insight into the attacker’s mindset. He describes himself as a misanthrope, someone who harbors a deep hatred for humanity. He fantasizes about the aftermath of his attack, imagining videos being made about him on the internet. This desire for infamy, coupled with his violent actions, paints a portrait of a young man deeply entrenched in a world of online extremism. 

Weapon choice: Link to Sanitizers/Cleaners 

One of the most telling aspects of the attack is the choice of weapons. The attacker used a knife and an axe, rather than a firearm, a decision that may point to his connection with a far-right group known as the Sanitizers or Cleaners. This group, which has gained notoriety in Russia, exclusively uses sharp weapons in its actions, targeting homeless people, homosexuals, and the disabled. They record these brutal attacks and share them online, much like the Eskisehir attacker envisioned. 

Influence of gobal far-right extremism 

The attack in Eskisehir is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger, disturbing trend. The 18-year-old was influenced by far-right groups in the U.S. and Europe. These groups have become increasingly adept at using the internet to target and manipulate young people, particularly in countries like Türkiye, where there are significant immigrant populations. 

This attack has exposed a new threat in Türkiye – the rise of lone-wolf extremism influenced by global far-right ideologies. As these groups continue to spread their toxic rhetoric online, the risk of similar attacks increases.

Authorities must take measures to prevent such ideologies from taking root among the youth, ensuring that Eskisehir’s streets, and those of other Turkish cities, remain safe for all.