A suicide bomber identified as a Syrian citizen and Islamic State operative struck in the heart of the Sultanahmet tourist district in Istanbul on Tuesday, killing 10 people and wounding at least 15. Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, announced on 14 January that the country’s security forces had begun a major operation against ISIS in retaliation for the deadly suicide bomb attack in Istanbul on 12 January. Davutoglu said that 200 ISIS fighters had been killed in attacks that had struck at more than 500 of the group’s known positions, although these claims have not been verified. Turkey has previously been accused of failing to do enough to target ISIS. Davutoglu was however keen to show his country’s fresh commitment, and announced that: “We will press ahead with our determined struggle until the Daesh terrorist organization leaves Turkey’s borders, and until it loses its ability to continue with its acts that soil our sacred religion, Islam.” The US is also considering sending up to 300 special operations troops into Syria as part of an expanded campaign against ISIS, according to reports.
Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, announced on 14 January that the country’s security forces had begun a major operation against ISIS in retaliation for the deadly suicide bomb attack in Istanbul on 12 January. Davutoglu said that 200 ISIS fighters had been killed in attacks that had struck at more than 500 of the group’s known positions, although these claims have not been verified. Turkey has previously been accused of failing to do enough to target ISIS. Davutoglu was however keen to show his country’s fresh commitment, and announced that: “We will press ahead with our determined struggle until the Daesh terrorist organization leaves Turkey’s borders, and until it loses its ability to continue with its acts that soil our sacred religion, Islam.” The US is also considering sending up to 300 special operations troops into Syria as part of an expanded campaign against ISIS, according to reports.