Russian Ambassador in Ankara Killed in Shooting Attack

Andrey Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Ankara, was shot and killed in an attack in the Turkish capital on Monday and was taken to hospital, NTV and other broadcasters reported. Three other people were wounded and Turkish police have fatally shot the alleged gunman, NTV is reporting. Karlov was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored photo exhibition in the capital when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted “Allahu Akbar” and fired at least eight shots, according to an AP photographer in the audience. The attacker also said some words in Russian and smashed several of the photos hung for the exhibition. A Reuters witness said that while gunfire rang out for some time after the attack, it had now stopped. A Hurriyet newspaper reporter said the attacker chanted Islamist slogans, including allegedly saying that the shooting was “revenge for Aleppo.” CNN Turk reported that the gunman entered the gallery with a police ID and opened fire on the ambassador as he made a speech. CNN Turk is reporting that a brief hostage situation has ended after special forces entered the building, adding that Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu is at the scene.Russia’s Foreign Ministry later confirmed that Karlov was shot and hospitalized, adding that Russia is in contact with Turkish authorities about the attack. Russian media reported that President Vladimir Putin was studying the attack. “We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,” said U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.” Russia and Turkey have been involved in conflict in Syria across the border from where over two million Syrian refugees have settled. Turkey has been a staunch opponent of President Bashar Assad while Russia has deployed troops and its air force in support of the Syrian leader. -

 See more sajhapagenews.com