Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Istanbul Church Attack

Two suspects linked to the extremist group have been arrested, as Turkish police continue a large-scale investigation into the attack that left one dead.

Two masked gunmen attacked the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul during a Sunday service, killing one person identified only as C.T.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement issued late Sunday.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that two men, described as members of the Islamic State extremist movement, had been arrested for the attack. One of the suspects is from Tajikistan, and the other from Russia.
Turkish police had raided 30 locations and detained a total of 47 people as part of the investigation into the attack.
The attack was condemned by Pope Francis, who expressed his 'closeness to the community of the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul.'