Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

US forces kill Isis militant linked to Istanbul nightclub attack

Abdurakhmon Uzbeki is said to have helped facilitate the New Year's Eve attack

Phil Stewart
Friday 21 April 2017 22:43 BST
Comments
Relatives and friends carry the coffins of husband and wife Mohamed Azzabi and Senda Nakaa, who were victims of the Istanbul nightclub shooting on New Year's Eve, during their funeral in Tunisia
Relatives and friends carry the coffins of husband and wife Mohamed Azzabi and Senda Nakaa, who were victims of the Istanbul nightclub shooting on New Year's Eve, during their funeral in Tunisia (AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The United States has disclosed a secret military ground operation in Syria that killed an Isis operative seen as a close associate of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and linked to an attack on a Turkish nightclub that left 39 people dead.

Abdurakhmon Uzbeki, who was believed to be from Uzbekistan, was killed during the ground assault near Mayadin on 6 April, said Colonel John Thomas, a spokesman for the US military's Central Command.

“It was a ground operation. I think that's all we're willing to say about that,” Cnl Thomas said, declining further comment. He specified that Uzbeki did not die in an airstrike.

Cnl Thomas said Uzbeki helped facilitate the attack on the exclusive Istanbul nightclub Reina in Istanbul on New Year's Eve. Isis claimed credit for the attack, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.

The attacker opened fire with an automatic rifle, throwing stun grenades to allow himself to reload and shooting the wounded on the ground. Among those killed in the attack were Turks and visitors from several Arab nations, India and Canada.

“We have clearly linked him with the New Year's Eve Istanbul bombing,” Cnl Thomas said.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in