Brussels-Like Terror Attack At Istanbul Ataturk Airport Leaves At Least 36 Dead, 147 Injured

Three alleged Islamic State assailants armed with bombs and AK-47 rifles opened fire at the entrance of the international arrivals area at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport around 10:30 p.m. (local time 3:30 p.m. ET) on June 28 and killed more than 30 people and wounded nearly 150 before blowing themselves up.

CCTV captured #TurkeyTerror attack. 3 suicide bombers attacked Istanbul’s Int’l Airport leaving at least 36 deadhttps://t.co/7x0Wqu8idJ

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 29, 2016

In the immediate aftermath, police barred access to the airport and some flights were diverted away from Istanbul. However, in a press conference in Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that by 2.22 a.m. local time, air traffic was back to normal and flights were resumed:

“It became clear with this incident again that terrorism is a global threat. This attack, targeting innocent people is a vile, planned terrorist act. No matter where the terror comes from, our country is strong enough to fight against this terror. I call on every citizen to act in unity and stand by each other, and I believe that this is going to be the best answer to the terrorists. Initial indications are that ISIS carried out the killings, but we are still working on determining the cause.”

Atatürk hava limani bombali saldiri yapildi pic.twitter.com/qWpnLX7sGk

— Oguzcan Aksoy (@Oguz146) June 28, 2016

The Turkish government has issued a broadcast ban on the terror attack that bore similarities to a suicide bombing by Islamic State militants at Brussels airport a couple of months ago. But eyewitnesses have come forward to share some gruesome details. Paul Roos, 77, a South African tourist on his way back to Cape Town with his wife, told Reuters:

“[One of the attackers] was just firing at anyone coming in front of him. He was wearing all black. His face was not masked. I was 50 metres away from him. We ducked behind a counter but I stood up and watched him. Two explosions went off shortly after one another. By that time he had stopped shooting.

“He turned around and started coming towards us. He was holding his gun inside his jacket. He looked around anxiously to see if anyone was going to stop him and then went down the escalator … We heard some more gunfire and then another explosion, and then it was over.”

Two of the three terrorists were at the international terminal of Turkey’s biggest airport, while the third was in the nearby parking lot. All three detonated suicide vests. Laurence Cameron, another eye witness, told CNN:

“It was just a massive crowd of screaming people. Some were falling over themselves. A poor chap in a wheelchair was just left, and everyone just rushed to the back of the building, and then people ran the other way and no one really seemed to know what was going on… Where you normally hail a taxi, that is where the attack happened. The ground is just kind of shredded. There are bloodstains on the floor as well.”

Our thoughts are with the victims of the attacks at @istanbulairport. We wish them, their relatives & all airport staff strength & courage.

— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) June 28, 2016

Even though there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Ataturk attack, Greg Barton, counter-terrorism expert at Deakin University who warns more airport attacks must be expected in the wake of an attack on the third busiest airport in Eurpoe, says the apparent use of suicide bombers had the hallmarks of an Islamic State attack. “That tactic of guns and bombs, of suicide missions and coordinated military style attacks fits the pattern of ISIS.”

Terror timeline: Turkey’s year of spiraling violence https://t.co/2LKzZ68D7I

— RT (@RT_com) June 29, 2016

The attack on Turkey came just before the second anniversary – on June 29 – of the declaration of the ISIS “caliphate”. ABC Middle East correspondent Matt Brown believes it may have been retaliation for the country’s clampdown on the ISIS — and not by Kurdish separatists who have been bombing police and military personnel since last July after the peace talks failed.

“It’s a fair assumption they [the ISIS] have major disagreement now with Turkey, having used Turkey as a major logistics hub. Turkey has allowed its air base in south-east Turkey to be used by the United States and others to bomb the Islamic State group, and has been clamping down on [the ISIS]. This is possibly an anniversary attack and why they’ve chosen a high profile and sensitive target.”

We must do everything possible to keep this horrible terrorism outside the United States.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2016

Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement condemning the terror act:

“Ataturk International Airport, like Brussels Airport which was attacked earlier this year, is a symbol of international connections and the ties that bind us together. Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. 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.”

“All Americans stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence.” —Hillary pic.twitter.com/QmSccJvcV0

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 28, 2016

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