Istanbul

Three assailants opened fire on police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, triggering a gunfight in which one attacker was killed and two others were captured with injuries, Turkish officials said.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries in the exchange of fire, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul told reporters, adding that the attackers were armed with long-barrelled weapons.

Interior Minister Mustafa Cifti said the assailants had travelled to Istanbul from the neighbouring city of Izmit in a rented car. He added that one of the attackers had links to a group “exploiting religion,” without naming the organisation.

Officials said two of the attackers were brothers, and one had a criminal record related to narcotics.

The building targeted houses the Israeli Consulate. Authorities noted that no Israeli diplomats were present at the mission, as Israel had earlier withdrawn its personnel from Turkiye amid security concerns following the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Turkiye’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said an investigation into the incident has been launched.

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The Islamic State has carried out deadly attacks in Turkiye in the past, though no group has claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s assault so far.