Istanbul

One week after a video emerged of the Berlin Christmas market truck killer, Anis Amri, pledging allegiance to ISIS, on Monday the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly New Year’s Day terrorist attack in Istanbul that killed at least 39 people and wounded dozens more, claiming the operation had targeted Turkey in revenge for Turkish military operations against the organization in Syria, a similar justification used by the Turkish offduty policemen to assassinate the Russian ambassador in Turkey in December.

A manhunt was underway for a gunman who opened fire on people at a packed nightclub on the shores of Istanbul's Bosphorus waterway on New Year's morning, killing at least 39 people, including 15 foreigners, then fled the scene.

The suspect escaped the scene by changing clothes at the club after the attack, according to reports on Turkish media. There have also been rumors that there was a second attacker, but officials are now just talking about one terrorist.

A gunman reportedly dressed in a Santa costume attacked a famous night club in Istanbul, Turkey killing and injuring scores of people who were celebrating new year. The attacker armed with a long-barrelled weapon, shot a police officer before storming the elite Reina club in the Ortakoy area at about 1.45am. Armored police vehicles surrounded the building and ambulances rushed to the scene. Istanbul’s governor Vasip Şahin said that at least 35 people were killed and 40 wounded in the incident which he called a terrorist attack.

Mltiple Explosions, gunfire and smoke were reported in the Taksim area in central Istanbul on Saturday evening. Pictures of grey clouds rising near the Besiktas football stadium quickly emerged online.  According to unconfirmed media reports, the explosion happened after a football game near the Besiktas Vodafone arena stadium. Initial reports suggest there were two explosions which were followed by gunshots.

According to officials, a car bomb targeting a vehicle carrying riot police exploded outside Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, wounding 20 people.

A bomb was placed inside a car and detonated as a bus carrying riot police passed during rush hour traffic in Istanbul today, killing seven police officers and four civilians, and leaving 36 wounded.

The explosion occurred on a busy intersection near an Istanbul University building, forcing officials to cancel exams. The blast caused the police bus to overturn from the force, and a nearby hotel was gutted and the windows were blown out - fortunately the hotel was closed and had no guests.