Suicide bombers attack Istanbul's Ataturk airport

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Yesterday, three individuals committed a suicide attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul, Turkey.

The attack started with the three individuals shooting weapons near the terminal entrance. After police started to return fire the individuals blew themselves up.

41 people were killed in the attack, and at least another 239 injured, according to officials. Those killed include nationals of several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the Turkish Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, stated current details point towards the Islamic State (IS) militant group as the culprits. This group has previously been blamed for a number of attacks in Turkey since last July.

The BBC reported IS have been targeting Turkey as being too connected to the West through NATO, as well as seeing its government as not being Islamic enough.

The attacks have led to concerns for the Turkish tourism sector, considered important to the country's economy.

President Barack Obama of the United States and President Vladmir Putin of Russia both condemned the attack. Russia also announced it had lifted trade and travel restrictions which had been in place since Turkey shot down a Russian fighter Jet last November.

Today has been declared a day of national mourning in Turkey.

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Sources

Constanze Letsch, Emma Graham-Harrison. "Istanbul Atatürk airport attack: Turkey declares day of mourning" — The Guardian, June 29, 2016
Ayla Jean Yackley, Humeyra Pamuk. "Islamic State prime suspect after suicide bombers kill 41 at Istanbul airport" — Reuters, June 29, 2016
"Istanbul Ataturk airport attack: Deaths rise to 41 as Turkey mourns" — BBC News Online, June 29, 2016

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