All Signs Point to ISIS in Istanbul Attack - Turkish PM

 

No fewer than 36 people were feared dead and 147 others injured following a terrorist attack at an international airport in Istanbul, of which all signs show that ISIS orchestrated it, according to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. 

The attack drew swift condemnation from officials in Turkey as well as the White House in the U.S.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s heinous terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport in Turkey, which appears to have killed and injured dozens," said a statement from White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. "We remain steadfast in our support for Turkey, our NATO Ally and partner, along with all of our friends and allies around the world, as we continue to confront the threat of terrorism." 

According to Turkish PM, Yildirim, three attackers carrying weapons arrived in a taxi to Ataturk airport, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. 

 

According to Yildirim, foreign nationals and police officers were among those wounded; at least seven Saudis were injured in the attack.

Yildirim also insisted there was no security lapse at the airport.

The airport has since been reopened, and flights between the U.S. and Istanbul have resumed. Airports in the United States have beefed up security in the wake of the attack, around 10 p.m. local time, a busy time for the airport, with flights arriving from Europe and leaving for the Persian Gulf and other parts of the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement condemning the attack that "has no objective." The president also said the attack shows "terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values," since it occurred during the holy month of Ramadan. 

"We expect the international community, especially the Western countries including their administrations, parliaments, media organs and civil societies, to take a firm stand against terrorism," Erdogan said.

The attack comes one day after the U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Turkey, advising that "foreign and U.S. tourists have been explicitly targeted by international and indigenous terrorist organizations" and mentioning "aviation services" along with other targets for extremists.

In March the U.S. ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel posted to the U.S. Consulate in Adana and family members of U.S. government civilians in Izmir province through July 26, 2016. 

Turkey is one of the main European tourist destinations for Americans. A total of 181,298 U.S. tourists have arrived in Turkey so far this year, with 60,000 arriving last month alone.

All U.S. Chief of Mission personnel have been accounted for, according to the U.S. State Department, and the government is "making every effort to account for the welfare of U.S. citizens in the city." 

Turkey has been dealing with multiple security threats from ISIS.

Earlier this month, a car bomb attack on a police bus killed seven officers and four civilians in central Istanbul. Today's attack was the fifth major one so far this year in the city, Turkey's largest.