ISIS behind deaths of at least 41, PM says
TURKISH police have detained 13 people in connection to the triple suicide bombing at Istanbul Airport, which killed at least 42 people.
New CCTV images of bombers released
Turkish PM says ISIS to blame for attack
Turkey suffers massive tourism blow
Istanbul’s Ataturk aiport resumes business
TURKEY’S state-run news agency says police have detained 13 people in connection to the deadly airport attack. Anadolu Agency says the three foreign nationals are among the group of suspects detained in Istanbul on Thursday.
Anadolu said police conducted simultaneous raids at 16 locations in the city. The raids unfolded simultaneously in the neighbourhoods of Konak, Bucak, Karabaglar and Bornova neighborhoods, according to Anadolu Agency.
Police say they found three hunting rifles and documents relating to the Islamic State group, the prime suspect for the attack on Istanbul’s International Ataturk Airport that killed 42 people.
The report says the suspects were in contact with IS militants in Syria and were engaged in “activities that were in line with the organization’s aims and interests,” including providing financial sources, recruits and logistical support.
Earlier, the Turkish media released CCTV images believed to show the suspected Istanbul airport bombers, as the prime minister blames IS for the attack.
The country’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim left no one guessing who he felt had carried out the triple explosions.
“The findings of our security forces point at the Daesh organisation as the perpetrators of this terror attack,” Yildirim told reporters at the airport, using the Arabic name for ISIS. “Even though the indications suggest Daesh, our investigations are continuing.”
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
CIA Director John Brennan supported the Turkish Government’s claim, saying it bears the “hallmark” of an attack by Islamic State.
“The despicable attacks in Istanbul International Airport yesterday that killed dozens and injured many more certainly bears the hallmark of ISIL’s depravity,” Mr Brennan said, using an acronym for the IS group.
The IS group typically does not claim responsibility for attacks in Turkey in order to send messages to the government without alienating potential future recruits in the country, Mr Brennan said.
The suicide bombings at Istanbul’s airport come just weeks after Kurdish separatists issued a warning to travellers against visiting the country as they claimed responsibility for a June 7 car bombing.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A senior Turkish official has given a timeline of the attack which has killed 42 and wounded 239.
First, a militant detonated explosives in the arrivals area on the ground floor of the international terminal. A second attacker exploded a bomb minutes later in the departures area upstairs. Finally, a third bomber detonated explosives in the parking area amid the chaos as people fled to escape the attacks inside.
It was unclear at what point security forces exchanged gunfire with the attackers, who were armed with AK-47 assault weapons, according to the official’s timeline.
TOURISM BLOW
For a destination which has sold itself to prospective visitors from abroad using its storeyed monuments — especially sites like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia church in the heart of Istanbul — the explosions are economically devastating.
“This is very bad news for tourism and more generally for air travel. It’s an attack that directly targeted travellers.” said Jean-Pierre Mas, head of French travel agencies association Entreprises du Voyage.
Figures released by the Turkish tourism ministry showed that the month of May had already seen the worst drop-off in visits in 22 years, down 35 per cent on 2015’s figure.
FEARS OF FURTHER ATTACKS
So far, of the 41 people who have been confirmed dead, 23 were Turk nationals, 13 were foreigners including five Saudi citizens and others from Ukraine, China, Iran, Iraq and Palestine. Not all the victims have been identified.
Security forces fear there could be further attacks on “soft targets”.
Last yesterday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held an emergency meeting at the presidential palace with Prime Minister Yildirim and Turkish armed forces commander General Hulusi Akar.
“We urge the world, especially Western countries, to take a firm stand against terrorism,” President Erdogan said in a statement after the meeting.
“Despite paying a heavy price, Turkey has the power, determination and capacity to continue the fight against terrorism until the end.”
The devastation at Istanbul’s airport follows the March attack on Brussels Airport, where two suicide bombings ripped through check-in counters, killing 16 people.
Yesterday teams of police were forensically going through the evidence including what they described as torso remains of the bombers. There are Turkish reports the bombers may have been foreigners. The scene including collapsed ceilings and shops were cordoned off as the busy airport resumes business. Flights in and out of the busy air hub were delayed by up to five hours.
Families of the victims began arriving at the airport as dawn broke.
“So, what can we think? We cannot think anything,” said Ali Batur, whose brother died. “A terror attack might happen everywhere, it happens everywhere. This terror trouble is also in our country. If God permits, we will get over this in unity and solidarity.”
AUSTRALIA TO LEARN FROM ATTACK
The Prime Minister said Australian airports were under constant review, and authorities would learn what they could from the attack in Turkey.
He said information about what systems or flaws allowed the attack to occur in Istanbul would form the basis of future changes to security measures here.
“What we do is learn from every single incident,” he told 3AW.
“We will be incorporating that into our own safety program.”
Fears for family of released Hamas hostage
Hamas have released the latest round of hostages, including young father Yarden Bibas, but fears are growing about his wife and sons.
Stunning photo of nation on the move
An unending stream of people marched along the coast on January 27, carrying their belongings in plastic bags and repurposed flour sacks.
Heartbreaking moment hostages freed from ‘hell’
The Israel Defense Forces has shared footage of the emotional moment four female Hamas’ hostages reunited with their families.