A knife-wielding attacker was shot and wounded near the Israeli embassy in Turkey on Wednesday. An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson and Turkish police have confirmed the developments. Officials said security personnel thwarted his attempt by shooting him in the leg before he could enter the embassy.
The accused allegedly shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest) before he was shot. CNN Turk quoted the Ankara governor, who described the attacker as mentally unstable with no connection to any organisation. According to a report by The Times of Israel, the accused tried to stab the embassy security guard, who then fired a warning shot before shooting the assailant in the leg. An Israeli embassy spokesperson said it was not clear if the attack was targeting the embassy or police officers.
The Reuters report said the area was cordoned off as security personnel searched the bag in his possession. Embassy officials said there were no casualties. Several embassies were closed last week after intelligence indicated a possible militant strike in the Turkish capital. Turkey is prone to a range of security threats from Islamic State and Kurdish militants in the region.
Private broadcaster NTV identified the suspect as a man from the central city of Konya, Reuters reported. Turkish media reports initially suggested two assailants were involved.
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