Istanbul: Turkish security forces arrested 12 people in connection with the armed attack on the Iraqi consulate in Istanbul last Friday.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, sources in the Turkish Organized Crime Control Unit stated in a media release today that the Istanbul Security Directorate is continuing its investigations into the attack, which targeted the Iraqi consulate in the Sisli district of Istanbul. The attack was carried out by two individuals on a motorcycle, armed with a Kalashnikov automatic rifle.

The sources indicated that security forces arrested two suspects, one of whom was under the age of 18, after they were involved in an accident on a highway in Istanbul while riding a motorcycle. Investigations have proven that they are the suspects in the armed attack on the Iraqi consulate.

As part of the investigation, Turkish authorities arrested three individuals in Izmir province who were found to have taken refuge in a villa in the Silivri district on the outskirts of Istanbul, which was being used as the headquarters of a criminal organization.

Six individuals were also arrested for their involvement in the attack and for providing assistance and shelter to the attackers.

Turkish police arrested another individual in a security operation in the Sisli district of Istanbul, suspected of being the main planner of the attack on the Iraqi consulate.

During searches of the suspects’ homes, police found the rifle used in the attack, a stolen motorcycle, and a car used by members of the criminal organization.

The investigations into the 12 suspects are ongoing. The Iraqi Consulate General in Istanbul was attacked last Friday evening by two individuals who fled on a motorcycle. No injuries were reported.