ISTANBUL — Nine individuals are now in custody following a deadly assault on law enforcement officers stationed outside the Israeli Consulate building in Istanbul, according to Turkey’s official news service reporting Wednesday.
The violent incident unfolded Tuesday in Istanbul’s commercial center, resulting in one attacker’s death while two accomplices suffered injuries during the exchange of gunfire with police. Two law enforcement officers received minor wounds in the confrontation, authorities confirmed.
The diplomatic facility was unoccupied during the assault, as Israel had previously evacuated its diplomatic personnel from Turkey due to security threats and worsening diplomatic ties following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza.
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci revealed that one attacker was connected to an organization that he described as one that “exploits religion,” though he declined to identify the specific group. Turkey has previously experienced fatal attacks orchestrated by the Islamic State organization.
The Anadolu Agency stated that law enforcement conducted raids across Istanbul and the provinces of Konya and Kocaeli, apprehending nine suspects. These individuals are undergoing interrogation alongside the two injured attackers, though additional information was not disclosed.
According to Cifti, the perpetrators had journeyed from Izmit in Kocaeli province using a rental vehicle. The two wounded suspects are siblings, named as Onur C. and Enes C., with the former having previous drug-related convictions.
On Tuesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing the assault while commending Turkish officials for stopping additional bloodshed.
