Turkish warplanes hit Islamic State targets hours after ISIS gunman slaughters 39 in Istanbul nightclub
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Turkish forces bombed Islamic State targets in Syria hours after an ISIS gunman murdered 39 people at an Istanbul nightclub .
Warplanes carried out air strikes near the Islamic State-controlled town of Al-Bab on New Year's Day, Turkey's military confirmed on Monday.
The Turkish chief of general staff's office said Turkish jets struck eight IS group targets while tanks and artillery fired upon 103 targets near Al Bab, killing 22 extremists while destroying many structures, according to Turkish-run Anadolu Agency.
The latest offensive came as Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on Reina nightclub that saw 69 people injured and 39 killed on January 1.
(Photo: Getty)
The killer reportedly 'screamed Allahu Akbar' as he stormed into the club with an AK-47 and began blasting people at will.
Islamic State said in a statement today the attack was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.
While Turkish authorities have refused to comment on whether the air strikes are linked to the attack, Turkey’s deputy prime minister said it was clear that the country’s military incursion into Syria had upset terror groups.
(Photo: Getty)
However, deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus said the offensive would continue until all threats to Turkey were removed.
Footage released by Turkish army today showed air strikes on Syrian towns of Al-Bab, Tadif and Bzagah.
The Turkish military operation, dubbed 'Euphrates Shield', was launched more than four months ago to drive Islamic State militants away from the border region and in recent weeks the forces have been besieging the town of Al-Bab.
Russian jets are also believed to have attacked ISIS targets in Dayr Kak, five miles to the southwest of Al-Bab.
Turkey sent tanks and special forces into Syria just over four months ago to push back Islamic State militants from its border and prevent Kurdish militia fighters from taking ground in their wake.
Security services had been on alert across Europe for new year celebrations following an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin that killed 12 people .
Only days ago, an online message from a pro-Islamic State group called for attacks by "lone wolves" on "celebrations, gatherings and clubs".
As new images of the Istanbul nightclub suspect are released, Mr Kurtulmus told a news conference: “Information about the fingerprints and basic appearance of the terrorist have been found.
(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: REUTERS)
ISIS released a statement this morning, that said a 'heroic soldier' had attacked Reina nightclub on New Year's Day.
Police have released new CCTV stills of the suspected ‘Istanbul gunman, with initial reports suggesting he may be aged 25 and come from Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan.
(Photo: AFP)
(Photo: REUTERS)
The suspect is a member of the East Turkestan branch of ISIS , according to Turkish media reports.
Officers are also investigating the possibility that the attacker may be from Xinjiang in eastern China.