Turkey Situation Report: Multiple explosions at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

Turkey Situation Report: Multiple
explosions at Istanbul Atatürk Airport
29/06/2016 – 0100 BST
Executive summary
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Three explosions were reported at Atatürk Airport, Istanbul’s main international airport at 2200 LT
Reports indicate gunfire was exchanged between Turkish security forces and three attackers
At least 32 people confirmed dead and an estimated 100 wounded
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack
All outbound flights from Atatürk Airport have been cancelled and many inbound flights diverted
A high terrorist threat persists in Turkey
Overview
On 28 June multiple suicide bombers detonated explosives at the international arrivals at Atatürk
Airport. The governor of Istanbul has claimed that up to three attackers were involved in the
coordinated attack. The perpetrators were stopped by Turkish security forces as they attempted to
pass through x-ray machines at the entrance. One of the attackers opened fire with a Kalashnikov
before detonating his explosives. Other reports claim a second bomb explosion was detonated
outside the terminal on the pavement. As a number of conflicting reports continue to emerge, a single
source claims a third explosion occurred in the airport carpark. At least 32 people have been killed as
a result of the blasts and the exchange of gunfire. A further 100 people have been injured with some
reportedly in critical condition.
Map 1. Atatürk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
Current situation
All outbound flights to Atatürk Airport have been cancelled and most inbound flights have been
diverted. Over 40 ambulances have been called out to the airport to assist with dozens of injuries.
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Some reports indicate taxis are also being used to transport the wounded to hospitals, some of which
are in critical condition. Police are also in the process of organising transportation for travellers.
Atatürk is the busiest Turkish airport and is Europe’s third busiest airport given its a key link between
Europe and Asia. Security is considered to be relatively high at Atatürk Airport with layers of security
implemented, the first of which is at the entrance of the airport where one of the suicide bombers
opened fire before detonating his explosives. The second layer of security is after check-in when
reaching passport control. The additional layer of security prevented and limited the attacks to just
outside the main airport building, with the x-ray machine at the entrance, the pavement outside the
terminal and the carpark all reportedly targeted. All three of the explosions occurred in areas with a
high frequency of visitors. According to the BBC security checks of cars and carparks have been
reported as being relatively lax.
Outlook
Turkey has been facing terrorist threats from multiple fronts, with a series of organised attacks in
recent months by both Islamic State (IS) and the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). This is likely to
persist in at least the medium term across the country. However, the impact of the attack on a global
scale may trigger a stronger government response in targeting in-country terrorist cells. Neither the
PKK nor IS has claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of writing. Turkish police reportedly
believe IS was responsible for the attack though this has not been confirmed. The attack occurred on
the two-year anniversary since IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the creation of the Islamic
State. According to the Telegraph, the timing of the attack has raised speculation that IS is
responsible, as some believe the attack was intended to mark the anniversary.
The modus operandi of the incident is considered to be similar to previous IS attacks. Previous
attacks by PKK have predominately targeted Turkish security forces and domestic nationals and
rarely target foreign nationals. As such, IS is more likely to be responsible as the group commonly
targets foreign nationals, making the international terminal an ideal target. The Atatürk Airport attack
is reminiscent of recent IS attacks, most notably the attack in March 2016 at Zaventam airport in
Brussels in which perpetrators detonated explosives in the departure hall of the American Airlines
check-in desk.
The Istanbul airport attack is highly likely to have a negative impact on tourism, which has already
suffered from a significant decline in the last year. According to the Turkish Tourism Ministry, the
number of foreign arrivals in Turkey has declined in May 2016 by 34.7% compared to May 2015.
According to data, this is the steepest decline since the 1990s. However, according to the BBC
tourism has declined by 45% and is likely to fall further following this attack.
Traveller safety and advice
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Flights to and from Atatürk Airport have been suspended and delays are likely once the service
resumes
Travellers are most vulnerable to attacks when arriving at international terminals at airports when
leaving countries with high terrorist threats
Extreme caution is advised in all public places often frequented by tourists both in Istanbul and
across Turkey
The UK FCO advises travellers in the area to follow the advice of local security forces
The US Federal Aviation Administration has reported all flights between the US and Istanbul have
been grounded at the time of writing as a result of the attack
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