Turkish security forces arrested 198 suspects across 34 provinces in a coordinated operation targeting Islamic State cells, one day after gunmen attacked Israel's consulate in Istanbul. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced the nationwide sweep Wednesday, with 12 suspects placed in pre-trial detention including two wounded attackers hospitalized after Tuesday's shootout.
Three gunmen arrived in a rented vehicle from Izmit and opened fire on police outside the consulate building in Istanbul's Levent business district Tuesday morning. The 10-minute firefight left one attacker dead and two others wounded, while two police officers sustained light injuries. Footage showed one gunman carrying an automatic rifle and wearing cargo pants with a backpack.
Turkish media identified the killed attacker as a 32-year-old man with Islamic State connections, though no group has claimed responsibility. The Interior Ministry confirmed the deceased gunman had ties to a terrorist organization, while the two wounded suspects are brothers with alleged drug trafficking links. Officials said the attackers specifically targeted the diplomatic facility.
treacherous attack
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President — The New Arab
The Israeli consulate has operated without diplomatic staff since October 2023, when Israel withdrew personnel following Turkey's condemnation of the Gaza war. The seventh-floor facility in the Levent skyscraper remained empty during the attack, with no Israeli officials present. Relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv have deteriorated significantly, with Turkey suspending bilateral trade in May 2024.
Turkish coverage emphasizes the swift security response and frames the incident as terrorism requiring strong state action. The narrative focuses on Turkey's anti-terrorism capabilities while noting the broader regional tensions that may have motivated the attack.