Turkey detains nearly 70 alleged IS members after deadly Istanbul blast

Turkish authorities have detained three Russian citizens on suspicion of links with the Islamic State (ISIS), reported Turkey’s Dogan News Agency.

Three Russian nationals, who were also suspected of belonging to IS, were additionally detained in the southern resort city of Antalya.

And Davutoglu stressed Turkey wouldn’t back down after Tuesday’s attack, urging his countrymen and people worldwide to unite against this threat.

Police also seized documents and CDs during a search of the premises where the suspects were staying, the Doğan news agency said.

Carnations are placed at the explosion site in Sultanahmet square in Istanbul, Turkey, late January 12, 2016.

Kuloglu said that now there are Turkish citizens who have close ties with terrorists in Syria and previously were trained in terrorist camps, adding that they can organize attacks in Turkey.

At least eight Germans died in the blast between the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque tourist attractions in Istanbul’s cultural and historic heart, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, warning that figure may rise.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was carried out by a “suicide bomber of Syrian origin”.

“We will continue our fight against terror with the same firm attitude”, said the Prime Minister, insisting his country will continue working with the U.S.-led coalition to combat ISIS.

Turkey has become a target for Islamic State, with two bombings previous year blamed on the radical Sunni Muslim group, in the town of Suruc near the Syrian border and in the capital Ankara, the latter killing more than 100 people.

The conflict in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people and left over one million injured, according to the United Nations.