Gun attack on Iraqi Consulate in Istanbul tied to Daltonlar crime syndicate

Two men on a motorcycle opened fire on the Iraq Consulate in Istanbul‘s Sisli district with long-barreled weapons on late night Friday, damaging the building but causing no injuries.

So far all the evidence suggests the attack was carried out by the Daltonlar organized crime syndicate, which has conducted similar attacks in Istanbul. Initial reports suggest it was in retaliation for the arrest of a senior gang member in Iraq.

Attack carried out by motorcycle gunmen

The attack took place in the Esentepe neighborhood, where two suspects on a motorcycle opened fire with long-barreled weapons at the consulate building.

Nine bullets struck the structure. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shooting. No injuries were reported.

Upon receiving the alert, police teams arrived at the scene, secured the area with crime-scene tape, and launched an investigation. Forensic examinations continued at the site, and authorities began efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.

Sisli District Governor visits the scene

Sisli District Governor Cevdet Erturkmen visited the consulate building after the incident. He received a briefing from officials and told reporters, “We have conveyed our well wishes and expressed our support for the State of Iraq.”

Daltonlar crime group behind the shooting

Security sources did not yet confirm that the attackers were affiliated with the Daltonlar group, a criminal organization involved in numerous violent incidents in Türkiye.

The shooting is believed to have been ordered in retaliation for the recent capture of Ahmet Mustafa Timo, known as “Timocan,” one of the group’s leaders.

Timocan’s arrest linked to organized crime group’s retaliation

Timo, who is wanted for 31 criminal offenses including murder and armed robbery, was captured by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in Iraq and brought to Türkiye.

A four-day detention order was issued for him as part of an ongoing investigation led by the Organized Crime Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Following the shooting attack targeting the Iraq Consulate in Istanbul, Daltonlar member Baran Yikilmaz posted a threatening statement on social media, “Without a red notice and without legal process, our brother was sold for money to MIT forces by the dishonorable Iraqi government and other dishonorable security units. From now on, no one will be able to extinguish this fire. Everyone will learn what we sacrifice for each other.”

Daltonlar members targeted in international operations

In separate international efforts, Turkish authorities have arrested other senior Daltonlar members abroad.

Sinan Memi, considered a key figure in the syndicate, was apprehended in Warsaw on Sept. 20, 2024. He was extradited to Türkiye after being implicated in multiple crimes, including a Feb. 1, 2023, homicide in Istanbul and a June 18, 2024, shooting targeting a film set.

Atakan Avci, another Daltonlar member facing a 30-year sentence for drug trafficking, was captured in Sofia, Bulgaria, and returned to Türkiye with Memi.

Turkish officials reaffirm commitment against organized crime

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the return of both Memi and Avci on Feb. 28, 2025, stating, “We have brought back Sinan Memi from Poland and Atakan Avci from Bulgaria. Let our nation know: no matter how big they are or where they flee, we will capture and return every single organized crime member and drug trafficker. They cannot escape us.”

The Daltons have introduced the violent tactics of Latin American mafias to Türkiye, using motorcycle assassination squads to eliminate their enemies.