Three attackers neutralised in gunfight with police in Istanbul, two officers injured

Three individuals were neutralised after an armed clash with police officers on duty outside the Yapı Kredi Plaza Blocks in Istanbul, authorities said.

According to Mustafa Çiftçi, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Türkiye, two police personnel sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire.

Çiftçi confirmed that the identities of the attackers have been established. Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects had travelled to Istanbul in a rental vehicle from Izmit.

Authorities also revealed that one of the individuals had links to an organisation that exploits religion, while another, one of two brothers involved, had a prior record related to narcotics.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.

Last month, the Turkish Defence Ministry said that it intercepted a ballistic munition from Iran that entered Turkish airspace.

"A ballistic munition fired from Iran and entering Turkish airspace has been neutralized by NATO air and missile defence elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," the ministry said in a statement.

"All necessary precautions are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country's territory and airspace," the ministry said.

It added that developments in the region are being closely monitored, with Turkey's national security as a priority. 

Earlier in March, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the war triggered by attacks on Iran must be halted before it expands and sets the entire region on fire, stressing that diplomacy still offers a path to de-escalation.

Erdogan said Turkey is continuing diplomatic efforts. "We are patiently continuing our initiatives to return to the table and negotiations and to bring diplomacy back into play," he said.

He added that Ankara is also taking precautions against attempts to fuel sectarian conflict and other destabilizing scenarios in the region.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)