Attack Today on US Consulate in Istanbul May Have Involved al-Qaida

A terrorist attack early today on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, that left six dead has reportedly been linked to al-Qaida.

However, the gunfire aimed by occupants of a car at police and other security at the entrance to the consulate, according to a witness, has not been definitively attributed to any group, reports the Guardian. An Istanbul reporter for the United Kingdom newspaper describes the al-Qaida link as "early speculation."

Three of the dead were police officers and the other three were occupants of the car. Two other police officers were injured.

"The consulate moved out of downtown Istanbul after al-Qaida militants in 2003 attacked targets including the British consulate," reports the Los Angeles Times.

Additional coverage:

Agence France-Presse: "White House condemns attack near US consulate in Istanbul"

Reuters: "3 police and 3 gunmen killed at U.S. Istanbul mission"