Suicide Attacks at Istanbul Airport Leave Dozens Dead and Injured

Reports indicate that in the suicide attacks on Tuesday, July 8, at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, 36 people were killed and 147 were injured. The Turkish Prime Minister identified the Islamic State group as responsible for these attacks. The condition of some of the injured is critical. Hours after the attacks, the initial death toll was reported as 10, but the governor of Istanbul announced that the number of casualties from the shooting and suicide attacks at Ataturk Airport had risen to 28 dead and 65 injured. According to the Associated Press, the governor of Istanbul stated that three attackers carried out suicide attacks at three different points in Ataturk Airport. Reports indicate that at 10 PM on Tuesday, July 8, the attackers launched their suicide attack at the international flight departure hall of the airport. A Turkish government official also told the Associated Press that one of the attackers first opened fire with a Kalashnikov assault rifle before carrying out a suicide attack. According to CNN, the attackers executed one suicide bombing in the airport parking lot and two other suicide attacks in the passenger exit area. Binali Yildirim, the Prime Minister of Turkey, stated that initial evidence suggests that the Islamic State group is responsible for the attack on Istanbul Airport, but investigations are ongoing. He mentioned that the attackers were three individuals who arrived at the airport by taxi and opened fire on passengers with an assault rifle before carrying out their suicide attacks. An American security official also told NBC that this attack is likely the work of the Islamic State (ISIS), as groups like the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) do not target international airports. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that there is no difference for terrorist organizations between Istanbul, London, Ankara, Izmir, Berlin, and Chicago. Erdogan has called on Western countries to take decisive action against terrorism. Reports indicate that Ataturk Airport has been closed and police have evacuated the airport. All flights to and from this airport have been canceled. Turkish aviation officials announced that Ataturk Airport will resume operations at 8 AM on Wednesday. However, some reports indicate that nearly three thousand passengers who have flown to Istanbul are waiting to exit the airport. Images shared on social media show a large number of passengers gathering outside Istanbul Airport. According to CNN, although speculation suggests that the attack was carried out by the Islamic State, this group has not yet claimed responsibility for any operations in Turkey. International reactions include condemnation from the White House, the U.S. State Department, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump, the candidates for the U.S. presidential election, regarding the coordinated suicide attacks at Istanbul Airport that left dozens dead. Josh Earnest, the White House spokesperson, stated in a statement that the U.S. strongly condemns this attack. The White House spokesperson emphasized that the U.S. stands alongside Turkey in combating terrorist threats. Mark Toner, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, also condemned the attack in a statement and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, also condemned the attack on Istanbul Airport. The Iranian Foreign Minister has also called for a joint fight against terrorism. According to IRNA, Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: 'Once again, the ugly face of terrorism has emerged at the airport of our friendly neighboring country. Violent extremism is a global threat, and we must confront it together.'