Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., July 10, 2008 Tamuz 7, 5768 | | Israel Time: 09:23 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The scene of a shooting attack outside the U.S. embassy in Istanbul in which at least six people were killed Wednesday. (Reuters) Last update - 21:25 09/07/2008 At least six killed in shootout at U.S. consulate in Istanbul By The Associated Press Tags: Terrorism, Istanbul  The United States on Wednesday condemned the attack on its consulate in Istanbul and a State Department spokesman said he could neither confirm nor rule out al-Qaida involvement. Three Turkish police officers and three gunmen were killed in the attack at the compound. "The United States condemns the terrorist attack that took place on our consulate general in Istanbul earlier today," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. Advertisement Reports in Turkey said al-Qaida involvement was suspected. "At this point one can't rule that out, but I also can't support at this point, those suspicions," McCormack said. "We're continuing our efforts to work with the Turkish government to determine who is responsible for it." He said the attack took place at a police booth about 75 feet from the entrance to the consulate. Witnesses told Reuters four attackers drove a car up to the compound. As the car halted, three jumped out and began firing at police at the guard post. McCormack said Turkish police had responded quickly and effectively, and Washington appreciated their courage in protecting U.S. diplomats. He expressed condolences to the families of the dead and wounded officers. Turkey and the United States "will continue to stand firmly together to confront the threat of terrorism as we have done in the past," he said. At about 11 A.M., at least one assailant opened fire on the Turkish police guard post area near the main entrance to the consulate, a U.S. embassy spokeswoman said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter. The attack occurred right outside the high-walled consulate compound in Istinye district. Yavuz Erkut Yuksel, a bystander, told CNN-Turk television the attackers emerged from a white vehicle and surprised the guard. "One of them approached a policeman while hiding his gun and shot him in the head," Yuksel said. Guler said two people, including a policeman and the driver of a towing vehicle, were also injured. Television footage showed four people lying on the ground at the foot of the consulate's wall. Medics were seen trying to help one of them. There was no immediate comment from police or authorities. The secure U.S. consulate building was built after homegrown Islamic militants linked to al-Qaida carried out a suicide bombings in 2003 that targeted two synagogues, the British Consulate and a British bank in Istanbul, killing 58 people. Related articles: 8 suspects arrested in Israeli Embassy attack in Mauritania Argentine Jews commemorate 1992 Israeli embassy bombing Three held in Manila over plot to bomb U.S., Israeli embassies Bookmark to del.icio.us   By the numbers A study shows Jewish Israeli men live almost four years longer than Israeli Arabs. Local threat The Shin Bet arrests two Bedouin, accused of supplying information to al-Qaida.   1.   Were these guys terrorists? 12:53  |  ScotGuy 09/07/08   2.   BREAKING NEWS 14:09  |  VIPER 09/07/08   3.   Daily terror, violence by islamists - disgusting 15:48  |  Johnny 09/07/08   4.   The West has build up its worst enemy 15:51  |  Jean Van Daem 09/07/08   5.   #4 Jean - Wrong thinking 16:09  |  ScotGuy 09/07/08   6.   Not Terrorism 16:16  |  Kevin 09/07/08   7.   Yes - they are terrorists 16:20  |  Anonymous 09/07/08   8.   THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR US CITIZENS TOURING ISTANBUL;WHAT CAN ONE 17:01  |  glenna 09/07/08   9.   "Armed Men"? Not Terrorists??? 19:44  |  candida 09/07/08   10.   VIPER - all 3 are Turks, no syrian 20:15  |  David Israel 09/07/08   11.   to Glenna, no. 8 20:55  |  Sam C 09/07/08   12.   My condolences to the families of the courageous 21:52  |  Lynn 09/07/08   13.   The works of Islamist-Jihadists 00:26  |  Brod 10/07/08

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