Islamic State claims responsibility for Istanbul attack -statement
An injured woman is carried to an ambulance from a nightclub where a gun attack took place during a New Year party in Istanbul, Turkey, January 1, 2017. Murat Ergin/Ihlas News Agency via REUTERS
“In continuation of the blessed operations that Islamic State is conducting against the protector of the cross, Turkey, a heroic soldier of the caliphate struck one of the most famous nightclubs where the Christians celebrate their apostate holiday,” the statement said.
Late Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim denied reports that the assailant was dressed like Santa Claus while carrying out the attack. “There is no truth to this. He is an armed terrorist as we know it,” Mr Yildirim said.
The Islamic State had reportedly urged members to wage attacks in countries engaged in battles against it in Iraq and Syria. It had already claimed several attacks in Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East since its emergence to power in Iraq and Syria.
Turkey is a principal party in military action against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.