Gunmen Arrested After Firing Shots Outside PM's Istanbul Office

Reports from Turkey say two gunmen have been detained after firing shots at police who guard Istanbul’s Dolmabache Palace – 19th century building that houses the Istanbul office of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Turkey’s Dogan News Agency reports that the gunmen were apprehended close to the scene of the August 19 shooting.

The Hurriyet newspaper reported on its website that ambulances to the area around the place and roads were sealed off.

But there were no initial reports of casualties.

The shooting took place amid an escalation of violence between Turkish security forces and Kurdish rebels, and as Turkey has been conducting operations against Islamic State (IS) militants in neighboring Syria.

It also comes hours as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to consult with the parliamentary speaker later on August 19 to discuss the formation of a new government.

Turkey has arrested more than 1,000 people linked to the IS group, Kurdish rebels, and leftist militants in recent weeks.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, Dogan, and Hurriyet