A Russian ambassador to Turkey was assassinated on Monday, December 19 at an Ankara art exhibit by a lone Turkish gunman shouting “God is great!” and “don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria!” in what Russia called a terrorist attack.
The gunman is a 22-year old off-duty police officer as described by Turkish officials. Also wounded at least three others in the assault on the envoy, Andrey G. Karlov, which was captured on video. The assailant was killed by other officers in a shootout.
The assassination instantly vaulted relations between Turkey and Russia to a new level of crisis over the protracted Syria conflict on Turkey’s southern doorstep. It came after days of protests by Turks angry over Russia’s support for Syria’s government in the conflict and the Russian role in the killings and destruction in Aleppo, the northern Syrian city.
The envoy was shot from behind and immediately fell to the floor while speaking at an exhibition.
The gunman who was wearing a dark suit and tie was seen in dark suit and tie, was seen in video footage of the assault waving a pistol and shouting in Arabic: “God is great! Those who pledged allegiance to Muhammad for jihad. God is great!”
Then he switched to Turkish and shouted: “Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria! Step back! Step back! Only death can take me from here.”
The gunman was killed after a shootout with Turkish Special Forces police according to Turkish officials.
Source: Nytimes
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