Istanbul New Year’s Terror Nightclub Attack ‘Leaves 39 Dead’

TERRORISM IN ISTANBUL LEAVES SCORES DEAD … 

At least 39 people have been killed, including at least 15 foreigners, in an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey.  The horrific massacre took place as at least 700 nightclub-goers were celebrating New Years Eve in Istanbul, Turkey, when the terrorist struck. According to reports. it was a lone terrorist gunman who reportedly shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ before opening fire, armed with an AK-47.

A gunman opened fire in Reina nightclub at about 01:30 local time (22:30 GMT), as revellers marked the new year.

Suleyman Soylu said efforts were continuing to find the attacker, who was believed to have acted alone.

At least 69 people were being treated in hospital, the minister added. Four were said to be in a serious condition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attackers were trying to “create chaos” and pledged to “fight to the end” against terrorism.
‘Different countries’

Addressing reporters early on Sunday, Mr Soylu said: “This was a massacre, a truly inhuman savagery.”

“A manhunt for the terrorist is under way. Police have launched operations. We hope the attacker will be captured soon.”

Andrey G. Karlov, Russian Ambassador to Turkey Is Assassinated in Ankara (VIDEO)

Russian Ambassador to Turkey Is Assassinated by man shouting, “Don’t forget Aleppo and “Allahu akbar”.

A gunman, wearing a dark suit and tie, shot and killed the Russian Ambassador to Turkey at an art gallery yesterday in Ankara, Turkey.  In the video below, the assassin can be seen waving a pistol and shouting in Arabic: “God is great! Those who pledged allegiance to Muhammad for jihad. God is great!” He then switched to Turkish and shouted: “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria! Step back! Step back! Only death can take me from here.” The terrorist was identified as 22-year-old Mevlut Mert Altintas, an off duty Turkish policeman. He was later shot dead by Turkish authorities.

 Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was assassinated at an Ankara art exhibit on Monday evening by a lone Turkish gunman shouting “God is great!” and “don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria!” in what the leaders of Turkey and Russia called a provocative terrorist attack.

The gunman, described by Turkish officials as a 22-year-old off-duty police officer, also wounded at least three others in the assault on the envoy, Andrey G. Karlov, which was captured on video. Turkish officials said the assailant was killed by other officers in a shootout.

The assassination, an embarrassing security failure in the Turkish capital, forced Turkey and Russia to confront a new crisis tied directly to the Syrian conflict, now in its sixth year.

The longer-term implications for the Russia-Turkey relationship, which had been warming recently after plunging a year ago, were not immediately clear. But some analysts played down the notion that the assassination would lead to a new rupture, saying it could conversely bring the countries closer together in a shared fight against terrorism.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Russian television that Mr. Karlov had been “despicably killed” to sabotage ties with Turkey. Mr. Putin spoke with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, by phone, and the two leaders agreed to cooperate in investigating the killing, and in combating terrorism broadly.

In typical Barack Obama fashion, Obama headed off to the golf course after receiving reports on Berlin attack and Russian Ambassador’s death. UNREAL. I would say this is bad optics; however, Obama has never cared about putting tragic events ahead of his golf game. It will be a pleasant change to no longer have to put up with this nonsense.

41 Dead and 239 Injured in Co-ordinated Terrorist Suicide Attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (VIDEO)

TERRORIST ATTACK HITS TURKEY’S ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT, 36 41 DEAD.

Three explosions rocked Istanbul’s Ataturk airport in a co-ordinated suicide attack as innocent people ran for their lives. In the end there are 41 dead, to date, and nearly 240 injured following this radical Islamic terror attack. However, it is expected that the death toll could rise to 50. Three suicide bombers drove to the airport in a taxi and starting shooting before they blew themselves up. Although they have not officially claimed responsibility for the terror attack, ISIS is suspected.

Witnesses have described the terrifying moment three suicide bombers launched a co-ordinated attack on Istanbul airport that has left at least 41 dead saying there was blood and body parts everywhere.

Shocking footage has shown an explosion at the door to the arrivals hall by a suicide bomber before another two attackers snuck into the building and detonated their devices.

Twenty-three of the victims were Turkish citizens and 13 foreign nationals were also among the casualties, an official has said. A total of 41 people have already been confirmed dead, but Turkish officials said that number is expected to rise to 50.

This morning the airport has re-opened while investigators piece together what happened, just hours after the attacks, which also left 239 people injured.

One of the passengers who was traveling through Ataturk airport at the time of the blasts was Laurence Cameron, a British cameraman who was traveling from Latvia to Izmir, on the Turkish coast.

 Video Shows Passengers Running Away From Explosion at Ataturk Airport

UPDATE I: Airports in the U.S. and around the world increased security in the wake of Tuesday night’s suicide bombing attack at Istanbul airport.

Airports in the U.S. and around the world increased security in the wake of Tuesday night’s suicide bombing attack at Istanbul airport, in which the Islamic State terror group is suspected of killing at least 41 and injuring hundreds more.

The body count was expected to climb in the wake of the attack at one of the world’s busiest airports after three suicide bombers opened fire with AK-47s before blowing themselves up as police engaged them. As if to underscore Turkey’s determination to carry on in the face of a growing threat, the airport reopened Wednesday, just hours after the dead and some 239 wounded were carried away and glass and debris cleared.

“The findings of our security forces point at the Daesh organization as the perpetrators of this terror attack,” Turkish Prime Miniser Binali Yildirim told reporters at the airport, using the Arabic name for ISIS. “Even though the indications suggest Daesh, our investigations are continuing.”

Barack Obama Arrives Late for ‘Moment of Silence’ for Paris Attacks at the G-20 Conference in Turkey

OBAMA PROBABLY HAD MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO, LIKE FINISHING HIS ROUND OF GOLF OR HIS MEAL  …

The optics are typical of this president. On Sunday at the G-20 conference in Turkey, Barack Obama showed up late on a moment of silence being held by world leaders to honor the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris. I am certain he will find someone to blame for his being late to this function. Had it been Obama providing an apology to the conference for the United States being responsible for the rise of ISIS and terrorism, I am certain he would have been on time.

President Obama walked in late Sunday on a moment of silence being held by world leaders in Turkey to honor the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

Reporters traveling with the president said Mr. Obama had not yet arrived when other world leaders at the G-20 conference in Turkey began their silent observance around a large conference table.

Mr. Obama walked in after they had begun, and took his place next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Daily Commentary -Friday, January 31, 2014 – Turkish Prime Minister Uses Technology

• Appearing as a hologram while delivering his speech

Daily Commentary -Friday, January 31, 2014 Download