Another terrorist attack in Turkey

A suicide bomb was detonated on 12th January 2016 in Istanbul in Sultanahmet, the most important tourist centre in Turkey. In light of media reports (the Turkish government was restricting access to information) at least ten people were killed, mostly foreign, German tourists. Although nobody had claimed responsibility for the attack, the Turkish government blamed Islamic State (IS) for masterminding it and a Syrian citizen for carrying it out (according to another version it was carried out by a Saudi Arabian citizen). Three Russian citizens had also been detained since they were suspected to have taken part in the preparation of the bombing. Ankara announced it will take strong action in order to punish those who planned the attack. The bombing in Istanbul was the latest attack to be blamed on IS following the 2015 suicide attacks in Suruc and Ankara (which claimed the lives of over 130 people in total). However, this was the first time the attack targeted Western tourists and was executed in the historical centre of the Ottoman/Turkish statehood, meaning that it would make great waves in the world media and Turkish society.

ESO: Background information: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on today's terrorist attack on Sultanahmet Square in the heart of Istanbul's tourist district http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-and-commissioner-johannes-hahn-on-todays-terrorist-attack-on-sultanahmet-square-in-the-heart-of-istanbuls-tourist-district/

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