Istanbul has suffered another suicide bombing, which has killed five people and wounded at least twenty more.
The explosion took place earlier today in one of the city’s popular shopping districts on Istiklal Street, near the Taksim Square precinct. Al Jazeera reporter Jamal Elshayyal likened the blast to an attack on London’s Oxford St, or New York’s Fifth Avenue.
AAP reports the attack has been claimed by Kurdish rebels who are engaged in a longstanding conflict with Turkey. Local authorities have been on high alert for attacks in the lead-up to the Kurdish New Year, which takes place on Monday.
VIDEO – At least 4 killed in bomb attack in central #Istanbul
Watch More: https://t.co/CudQJdv7zn pic.twitter.com/XQV44wq3q0
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) March 19, 2016
This attack follows a similar suicide bombing in the city’s Sultanahmet Square in January.
We’ll update this story as it develops.
