Salam to all,

This morning terrorists of ISIS attacked the Unites States Embassy in Istanbul.

Let me start by saying as a Muslim and as a Turk we condemn any violent action that is done in the name of Islam, this is not our religion and this is not our path.

At this moment Turkish police officers are at the scene trying their best to free US and Turkish captives and make sure that no harm comes to them.

We ensure you that we are doing the best we can to bring back the US captives home safely to their family and assure that safety of everyone that is in the embassy at this moment.

ISIS will not win this war today and with God’s help we will succeed.

Good luck to us all,

The President of the republic of Turkey

Confirmation of responsibility for the terrorist attack on the US Embassy in Istanbul, at 0800 EDT (15:00 EEST):

1. It has been confirmed that ISIL is responsible for the terrorist attack on the embassy.

2. Total 17 people held hostage in the embassy building, their medical condition has not been confirmed:

a. 4 American diplomats;

b. 3 innocent American citizens;

c. 4 local Turkish employees of the embassy;

d. 6 innocent Turkish citizens.

3. Letter of demands was sent by the terrorist group ISIL:

a. Recognition of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant territories;

b. Stopping American aggression in the territories of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

c. Demanding 450 million USD;

d. release Aafia Siddiqui (Held in the FMC Carswell, Fort Worth, Texas;

e. Stopping all American assistance and involvement in the Middle East. 

1. Report on a terrorist attack was first reported by social media FACEBOOK and TWITER in Istanbul, Turkey.

2. The attack occurred on 0800 EDT (15:00 EEST)

3. A group of terrorists attacked the US embassy in Istanbul, and ISIL flag has been seen mounted on the embassy.

4. It is reported that there are injured personal.

5. It is not known whether the injured are local civilians and/ or security staff and / or American officials

6. The Turkish police have not sent an official report yet.

Additional information on the terrorist attack on the US Embassy in Istanbul, at 0800 EDT (15:00 EEST):

1. ISIL claims the responsibility for the terrorist attack on the embassy.

2. Eye witnesses that escaped from the embassy building claim that all guards have been killed.

3. Turkish Intelligence Agency (TIC) reports that two guards are in critical medical condition.

4. TIC reported that there are captives in the embassy building:

a.  US embassy employees, American and Turkish, have not been counted for, or are hostages in the embassy building, total numbers not known yet.

b. There is probable cause to believe that innocent American citizens were present at the time of the attack.

c. Presence of foreign diplomats in the embassy at the time of the attack is not known.