International Desk

Turkish authorities detained four men on Thursday believed to be connected to the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul that left six people (three policemen and three assailants) dead in the ensuring fire fight. They are also trying to determine if one of the attackers had any connection to al-Qaida.

Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay in statement said he believed it was a premeditated suicide attempt. “Taking into account the footage from security cameras and other aspects of the incident, it largely appears to have been an act of suicide.”

Speaking in front of the Istanbul Security Forces Headquarters, the minister said, “Right now, there are four people under custody. Three of them are in Istanbul and the fourth one was brought from outside Istanbul.”

Despite widespread condemnation from the international community and widespread speculation it is still unclear who is behind the attack.

The United States has been quick to condemn the attack and offered its backing to the Turkish authorities.

“Our countries will continue to stand firmly together to confront the threat of terrorism as we have done in the past,” U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormark said.