SUICIDE BOMBINGS TARGET ISTANBUL’S ATATURK AIRPORT
Istanbul’s Ataturk airport – the third-busiest airport in Europe – was the setting for a violent suicide attack on Tuesday.
An estimated forty-one people were killed and another two hundred were wounded in the coordinated assault – which was carried out by at least three terrorists armed with machine guns, hand grenades and explosive vests.
Here’s a look at security footage courtesy of Mahir Zeynalov, a correspondent with The Huffington Post.
(Click to play)
The moment of the attack at the Istanbul airport. Horrific. pic.twitter.com/Npikwlloxk
— Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) June 28, 2016
No terrorist organization took immediate responsibility for the attack – although many believe the attack was organized by Kurdish separatists who have been battling against the Republic of Turkey for the last thirty-seven years.
Kurds are the largest ethnic minority in Turkey – comprising an estimated 25 percent of the nation’s 80 million inhabitants.
A cease-fire in this ongoing struggle ended last July – and last December Turkish leaders launched new military operations in Kurdish-held territories in southeast Turkey. Two days before Christmas, Kurdish militants responded by attacking Sabiha Gokcen, a smaller Istanbul airport – killing one person.
Others blamed the Ataturk airport attack on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) – which is looking to flex its muscle in the aftermath of recent territorial losses. ISIS has launched terror attacks in Turkey already this year – and the style of this particular assault was similar to a March 2016 bombing in Brussels carried out by the caliphate.
Just yesterday, the U.S. State Department issued a warning urging Americans to “avoid travel” to southeastern Turkey due to “increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey.”
“Foreign and U.S. tourists have been explicitly targeted by international and indigenous terrorist organizations,” the warning stated.
America’s leading presidential candidates wasted little time in responding to the violence.
“All Americans stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence,” presumed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton said.
“Our prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in Istanbul. The whole world is stunned and horrified,” said presumed GOP nominee Donald Trump. “The terrorist threat has never been greater. Our enemies are brutal and ruthless and will do anything to murder those who do not bend to their will. We must take steps now to protect America from terrorists, and do everything in our power to improve our security to keep America safe.”