Gunshots Heard Outside Israeli Consulate In Istanbul: 2 Attackers Killed, 1 Seriously Injured | Video
According to a witness, gunfire sounds were heard around the building that houses the consulate, a witness said.
- World News
- 3 min read
Istanbul: Gunshots were heard near a building that houses the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday in which two attackers were killed and one was seriously injured. Two Turkish police officials were also injured in the incident. There are conflicting reports on the exact number of attackers who died in the incident.
According to a witness, gunfire sounds were heard around the building that houses the consulate, a witness said. The consulate occupies one or two floors inside the building.
Gunfire-like sounds were heard with people screaming at the background, in several videos that have emerged from the scene.
As per Turkey’s Haberturk broadcaster the attackers were armed with long-barreled weapons. Police are yet to ascertain the identity of the attackers or what could have been their objective behind the attack.
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Minister of Justice of Turkey Akın Gürlek said that upon the reports of gunfire sounds in the vicinity of the Israeli Consulate in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation. One deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have been assigned for the task who have arrived at the scene and begun examinations.
“Under the coordination of our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, in collaboration with relevant law enforcement units, the work is ongoing for the purpose of fully elucidating the incident, and the investigation is being conducted meticulously and in a multifaceted manner,” Gürlek added.
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The Istanbul governor mentioned that the attackers were armed with rifles and guns. At present, no Israeli diplomat "is currently in Turkish territory", sources said.
The Middle East War Backdrop
The incident comes in the backdrop of the war in the Middle East that has spread uncertainty across the Gulf and has sent choked the world of energy supplies, as Iran continues to maintain its gold at the strategic Gulf of Hormuz.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump has given an ultimatum to Iran to make a deal before Tuesday, 8:00 P.M Eastern Time, warning that there'll be "no bridges, no power plants" following this deadline.
"This is a critical period... They asked for an extension of seven days; I gave them 10 days... They have till tomorrow. Now we will see what happens... A lot of people are affected by this. We are giving them until tomorrow, 8 o'clock, Eastern Time. After that, they are going to have no bridges. They are going to have no power plants. Stone ages," Trump said addressing reporters at the White House.