IS 'Definitely' Behind Attack -- Jakarta's Police Chief
Jakarta's police chief has now said that the IS group are "definitely" behind the attacks in the Indonesian capital this morning.
IS-allied News Agency Says IS Behind Jakarta Attacks
The IS-aligned Aamaq news agency has said that the IS group carried out this morning's attacks in Jakarta.
"Islamic State fighters carried out an armed attack this morning targeting foreign nationals and the security forces charged with protecting them in the Indonesian capital," Aamaaq said on its Telegram channel.
Indonesian IS Militant 'Planning This For Awhile' -- Jakarta Police Chief
Indonesia's police chief Tito Karnavian has said that the IS group is "definitely" behind the attacks in Jakarta this morning and that Indonesian IS militant Bahrun Naim, who is thought to be in Syria, has been "planning this for awhile. He is behind this attack."
As reports emerge that an IS-linked news agency has said IS were behind the attacks in Jakarta this morning, Linus Gustafsson of the Swedish Defense University has notes that the Indonesian Abu Sayyaf Group declared allegiance to IS back in 2014.
Seven Detained In Connection With Istanbul Suicide Bombing
Seven people have been detained in connection with a suicide bombing at the heart of Istanbul's historic district that killed 10 German tourists, Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala has said.
Turkey has blamed the IS group for the bombing.
Turkish Tour Guide 'Prevented More Casualties' In Istanbul Bombing
Turkish tour guide Sibel Satiroglu prevented additional casualties during the suicide bombing in Istanbul after she witnessed the moment of the attack and shouted at the German tourists she was guiding to run away, Hurriyet reports.
Satiroglu was slightly wounded in her feet and suffered a loss of hearing after the blast, but continued to help at hospitals where the wounded were taken.
IS Attack In Jakarta Its First In Indonesia
IS's attack on Indonesia's capital is the first assault on the Muslim-majority nation by the militant group, Reuters reports.
Five of the seven people killed in the attack were the militants themselves.
France24's Wassim Nasr has shared a screen grab of the declaration by the IS-linked Aamaq news agency that the IS group were behind this morning's attacks in Jakarta.
Jan. 25 Peace Talks 'Unrealistic' Says Syrian Opposition Politician
Syrian opposition politician George Sabra has told Reuters that he thinks January 25 is an "unrealistic date" for peace talks to begin in Geneva unless sieges are lifted and humanitarian aid allowed to reach civilians.
"There are still towns under siege. There are still Russian attacks on villages, schools and hospitals," Sabra said. "There is no sign of goodwill."
Jakarta Militants 'Came From Solo, In Contact With IS In Syria'
Officials in Indonesia have said that the militants responsible for this morning's attacks in Jakarta came from an IS-linked group on Indonesia's main island of Solo and were in touch with militants in Syria.
"We have detected communications between a Syrian group and the Solo group," Deputy Police Chief Budi Gunawan said.