24 people killed, wounded in suicide bombing in Istanbul

(IraqiNews.com) Baghdad – The Governor of the Turkish city of Istanbul announced on Saturday, that 24 people were either killed or wounded in a suicide attack on Istiklal Avenue in the central Istanbul.

The Governor of Istanbul Vasic Shahin said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com, “Today, a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up in Istiklal Street near Taksim Square in the central Istanbul, killing four people and wounding 20 others.”

Shahin added, “A number of ambulances rushed to the area while the police blockaded it.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “Terror groups are targeting civilians because they are losing their struggle against Turkish security forces.”

Noteworthy, Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against ISIS and allows coalition warplanes to use its air base at Incirlik for raids on Iraq and Syria.