ISTANBUL (AP) - On Tuesday, three assailants launched an attack against police officers stationed outside the building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. The incident initiated a gunfight that resulted in the death of one attacker, while the other two were injured and subsequently apprehended, according to Turkish officials.
The confrontation left two police officers with minor injuries, as reported by Istanbul Governor Davut Gul. The assailants were reportedly armed with long-barreled weapons. The Israeli Consulate is situated in Levent, a prominent business district in Istanbul. Due to security concerns and deteriorating relations with Turkey amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel has removed its diplomats from missions in Turkey.
Interior Minister Mustafa Cifti indicated that the attackers had traveled from Izmit, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Istanbul, using a rented vehicle. One of the assailants was linked to a group accused of "exploiting religion," though the specific organization was not identified. In the past, the Islamic State group has executed fatal attacks in Turkey.
The two captured assailants, brothers identified as Onur C. and Enes C., have criminal backgrounds related to drug offenses. Both are under interrogation, as confirmed by the Interior Ministry.
Video footage from the scene captured one of the attackers wielding what appeared to be an assault rifle while taking cover behind a bus during the exchange of gunfire with the police. In the footage, a police officer is seen falling to the ground, presumably shot, and subsequently rolling to procure cover behind a nearby tree.
Details from the Interior Ministry revealed that one police officer sustained a leg injury, while the other was hurt in the ear. The Turkish Justice Minister, Akin Gurlek, announced that three prosecutors, including a deputy chief prosecutor, have been appointed to oversee the investigation into the attack.
In the aftermath of the gunfight, police cordoned off the area around the consulate and blocked several roads. Forensic experts dressed in white protective suits worked diligently to collect evidence from the scene. A witness described observing law enforcement officers taking cover behind parked vehicles and communicating amid the chaos of the ordeal.
Omer Dilki, a 34-year-old local, noted that initially the sounds of gunfire were mistaken for noise typical of the busy area, but as the shots continued, it became evident that a serious situation was unfolding. Another individual, Ali Riza Arpacı, who was nearby, reported witnessing “serious clashes” occurring right in front of him, stating that the gunfight lasted around ten minutes.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack as a “treacherous” act and emphasized Turkey’s unwavering commitment to combatting all forms of terrorism. He asserted, “We will not allow the climate of security in Turkey to be harmed by vile and timed provocations like today’s.”
The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, denounced the assault and commended Turkish authorities for their rapid and decisive response. In a similar vein, Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the event and praised Turkish security forces for their swift action in neutralizing the threat.
It is worth noting that earlier reports from Turkey’s Haberturk news mistakenly indicated that two of the attackers had been killed. However, Turkish officials clarified that only one of the three assailants was killed, while the other two were wounded and captured.
