In a brazen attack, two assailants targeted a government building in Istanbul, leaving two officers injured. The attackers arrived at the scene in a commercial vehicle and launched their assault around 09:30 local time. Ali Yerlikaya, providing details of the incident, stated that one attacker detonated himself in front of a ministry building, while the other was neutralized by security forces.
The incident occurred just hours before the scheduled reconvening of the parliament, adding a layer of urgency and tension to the situation. The attackers’ identities remain unknown, and as of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Initial reports suggested the presence of gunfire in the area alongside the explosion. Emergency response teams swiftly arrived at the scene, with law enforcement agencies cordoning off nearby roads for security measures.
Ali Yerlikaya, in a social media post, affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism, emphasizing that the fight will persist until the last terrorist threat is neutralized.
Notably, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was slated to address the opening of the parliamentary session, a critical event that was set to include discussions on Sweden’s prospective entry into NATO. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the persisting challenges posed by acts of terrorism and underlines the significance of ensuring security in sensitive government facilities.
