ISTANBUL – In a significant development, Turkish authorities have apprehended nine individuals following a police investigation into a recent attack outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. The incident, which resulted in the death of one assailant, was reported on Wednesday by the country’s state-run news agency.
During the altercation on Tuesday, set in Istanbul’s bustling financial and business district, two other attackers were injured and subsequently detained. Additionally, two police officers sustained minor injuries, according to official reports.
The Israeli government had previously evacuated its diplomats from Turkey due to escalating security concerns and strained diplomatic relations with Ankara, which were exacerbated by the onset of the conflict in Gaza. As a precaution, the consulate was not operational during the attack.
Turkey’s Interior Minister, Mustafa Ciftci, disclosed that one of the attackers had affiliations with a group he described as “exploiting religion,” though he did not specify the group’s identity.
Historically, Turkey has been a target for attacks by the Islamic State group, which has orchestrated several deadly incidents in the country.
The Anadolu Agency detailed that law enforcement conducted operations in Istanbul as well as in the provinces of Konya and Kocaeli, leading to the arrest of nine suspects. These individuals are currently undergoing interrogation alongside the two injured attackers. Further details have not been disclosed by the agency.
Cifti said the attackers had traveled from the city of Izmit, in Kocaeli province, in a rented car. The two wounded assailants are brothers, identified as Onur C. and Enes C. The first has a criminal record related to drugs.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned the attack and praised the Turkish authorities for preventing further violence.
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