Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Turkey arrests 25 suspects tied to church terror attack

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Feb 2024 08:53
  • 3 Shares
2 Min Read

Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc says that the apprehended individuals included the two suspected gunmen.

  • x
  • Turkey arrests 25 suspects tied to the church terrorist shooting
    Turkish forensic police officers hold boxes as they walk in front of Santa Maria church after a shooting, in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 28, 2024. (AFP)

Turkish security forces arrested 25 people suspected to be linked to the church terrorist shooting incident last week in Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on Friday.

Two masked gunmen opened fire during Sunday mass at the Italian Catholic Church of St. Mary, resulting in the death of Turkish citizen Tuncer Cihan as identified by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Among the apprehended individuals are the two suspected shooters believed to be linked to the ISIS terror group, Tunc posted on X/Twitter. The detainees were reportedly planning attacks on churches, synagogues, and the Iraqi embassy.

İstanbul Sarıyer’de Santa Maria Kilisesindeki ayin sırasında, kilisede bulunan Tuncer Cihan isimli vatandaşımızın öldürülmesi olayıyla ilgili olarak İstanbul Cumhuriyet BaÅŸsavcılığınca baÅŸlatılan soruÅŸturma kapsamında;

Aralarında kilisede ateÅŸ açarak vatandaşımızın ölümüne…

— Yılmaz TUNÇ (@yilmaztunc) February 1, 2024

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the two gunmen are Tajikistani and Russian nationals.

Read more: Turkey arrests 2 suspected of New Year terror plot: Reports

Related News

PKK announces full withdrawal from Turkey to Northern Iraq

Media crackdown: Turkey seizes pro-opposition TV, arrests chief editor

Ordered to target religious minorities 

In a Telegram statement, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out as per the group's leaders orders to target Jews and Christians. 

The victim's cousin said Cihan had no political or religious affiliations and had entered the church while out for a walk.

Authorities said that the death toll would have been higher if the terrorist's weapon hadn't jammed.

ISIS has been responsible for various terrorist attacks within Turkey, including an incident at an Istanbul nightclub on January 1, 2017, resulting in the loss of 39 lives.

The church shooting comes on the heels of heightened security concerns in the region.

Since June 2023, Turkish officials have apprehended 2,086 individuals suspected of being affiliated with the group. 

Read more: 25 ISIS terrorists flee militants' prisons in al-Hasakah: Sources

  • Turkey
  • islamic state
  • Ankara
  • Yilmaz Tunc

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS