Three assailants opened fire at police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul's Levent business district on Tuesday, triggering a gunfight that left one attacker dead and two wounded. The incident occurred near Yapı Kredi Plaza Blocks, with video footage showing armed police taking cover as shots rang out for at least 10 minutes.
Key Takeaways
One assailant was killed and two were wounded in a shootout with police outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul's Levent business district on Tuesday. The attack triggered a prolonged gunfight captured on video. Turkish authorities have detained nine additional suspects, bringing the total to ten, including the two injured attackers who are being questioned.
Two police officers sustained minor injuries during the clash: one shot in the leg and another grazed in the ear, according to Turkish officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated that the attackers had traveled from Izmit—about 60 miles east of Istanbul—in a rented car. One assailant was linked to a group described as 'exploiting religion,' though no specific organization was named.
The two wounded attackers were identified as brothers, Onur Ç and Enes Ç, with one having a prior criminal record related to drugs. Both are being interrogated by authorities. Video from the attack showed one assailant carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle while hiding behind a bus during the exchange of fire.
Turkish authorities have detained ten people in connection with Tuesday’s gun attack near the Israeli consulate, including the two wounded assailants who are being questioned in hospital while undergoing treatment. The remaining nine suspects were arrested in operations in Istanbul and the provinces of Konya and Kocaeli after the attack.
The attacker killed at the scene was identified as Yunus Emre Sarban, according to an interior ministry source. Sarban had previously been linked to financial networks with ties to the Islamic State militant group, leading to his assets being frozen in 2021.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned what he called a 'treacherous' attack, vowing to continue fighting terrorism. The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, and Israel's Foreign Ministry both denounced the assault, praising Turkish authorities for their swift response in thwarting it.
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