Istanbul Consulate Attack: Gunmen Target Israeli Building

A gunfight erupted outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday after three assailants opened fire on police, leaving one attacker dead and two officers slightly injured, Turkish officials said.

Istanbul Consulate Attack: What We Know

The two other assailants were captured with injuries, according to officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Cifti stated the attackers traveled to Istanbul from the city of Izmit in a rented car.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries: one to the leg and another to the ear, the Interior Ministry reported. The assailants were armed with long-barrelled weapons.

Video footage of the attack shows one assailant with an assault rifle and a brown backpack exchanging fire with police while taking cover behind a bus. In the video, an officer is seen falling to the ground and seeking cover behind a tree.

One of the assailants has been linked to a group described as “exploiting religion,” though the organization was not named. The Islamic State group has previously carried out attacks in Turkey.

The two wounded assailants have been identified as brothers, Onur C and Enes C. One has a prior criminal record related to drugs. Both are currently being interrogated, authorities said.

The consulate is located in Levent, a major business district in Istanbul. No Israeli diplomats were present at the consulate or other Israeli missions in Turkey at the time of the attack, following a withdrawal due to security concerns and strained relations after the war in Gaza.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that three prosecutors, including a deputy chief prosecutor, have been assigned to investigate the incident. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, condemned the attack and praised Turkish authorities for their response, stating that attacks on diplomatic missions are “attacks on the international order.”