Gunmen fire at Iraqi consulate in Istanbul; no casualties reported

Gunmen riding a motorbike fired eight shots at the facade of the Iraqi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul earlier today, the Iraqi foreign ministry says, in an incident that Turkey says caused no casualties

“In the evening hours today, individuals on motorcycles have opened fire on Iraq’s Consulate in Istanbul. There was no loss of life or material in the incident,” Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli says in a statement.

“The necessary investigation is being carried out diligently by our security units and identification efforts are underway. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

Iraq’s foreign ministry says the gunmen used AK-47 assault rifles before fleeing. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

“Iraq appreciates the swift response of the Turkish authorities and the security measures they have taken, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the necessary measures to protect diplomatic missions in accordance with international agreements,” the ministry adds in a statement.