The weekend has started off on an horrific note in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, as a suicide bomb attack took place in a busy shopping area this morning [Saturday, March 19].
Officials have noted at least four innocent civilians are dead with another 36 injured, including 12 nationals.
According to the BBC, the bomb went off near a government building on Istiklal Street. No-one has admitted carrying out the attack, the latest to target Turkey in recent months, however Islamic State (IS) and Kurdish militants have both claimed recent attacks in the region. The city is currently on high alert.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said terror groups are targeting civilians because they are losing their struggle against Turkish security forces. Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against IS and allows coalition planes to use its air base at Incirlik for raids on Iraq and Syria.
Photo Credit: BBC
