Suspected Member Of IS Detonates Bomb In Turkey’s Tourism District Killing 8 German Nationals

A suspected member of the terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has detonated a bomb in the historic district of Istanbul, leaving 10 foreigners dead and 15 people wounded, BBC reported Tuesday.

The suicide bomber, who was perceived to be a Saudi-born individual, detonated the bomb in what was known to be Turkey's most prominent tourism sector - the Sultanahmet District. The attacked killed foreigners who were mostly Germans and left a moment of terror in the country.

In response to the bloody incident, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pledged to step up its battle against the terrorist group until such time that it would no longer "remain a threat" to the Turkish land or the whole international community.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced that the bomber was Saudi-born, who just entered Turkey from Syria and was not included in the list of potential bombers outlined by the Turkish government.

"Turkey won't backtrack in its struggle against Daesh by even one step, " said Prime Minister Davutoglu. "This terror organization, the assailants and all of their connections will be found and they will receive the punishments they deserve."

German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier confirmed that eight Germans died, and nine were wounded including some citizens from Turkey, South Korea, Peru and Norway, The Korea Herald reported. Prime Minister Davutoglu had expressed his condolences to the victims through a phone conversation with Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor. Merkel pledged that Germany will continue its fight against terroristic activities.

"International terror changes the places of its attacks, but its goal is always the same - it is our free life, in a free society," said Chancellor Merkel to the Berlin reporters. "The terrorists are the enemies of all free people, indeed, the enemies of all humanity, whether in Syria or Turkey, in France or Germany."

Last year, Turkey suffered from two bombing incidents, boh of which were also linked to ISIS.