Istanbul nightclub attacker probably Uighur: Turkish government

The Turkish government has announced that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militant who attacked the famous nightclub Reina at Istanbul's Ortaköy was probably an Uighur. 

"It's highly probable that the terrorist is an Uighur," Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak said on Jan. 5, adding that the identity of the attacker was known by security forces but was not yet being released to the public. 

"It can be understood that he is a specially trained cell member," he also said. 

Several suspects allegedly linked to the attack were detained early on Jan. 5 on the outskirts of Istanbul, police sources told Anadolu Agency.        

The Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Terror Branch conducted an operation on a housing community in Silivri after it received information individuals who might be linked to the attack were hiding in the area.  
      
Charges of aiding and abetting a crime were levied against suspects originally from the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, according to sources who wished to remain anonymous and who did not provide additional information about the operation or the number of suspects detained.
       
Meanwhile, the militant is believed to still be in Istanbul. A major manhunt is underway for the militant who attacked Reina, killing 39 and wounding 65 others.

According to the security forces, the attacker is hiding in a house in Istanbul, daily Yeni Şafak reported on Jan. 5. The daily said police would search each and every house thought to have connections to the attacker.

New details continue to emerge on how the attacker obtained the weapon and which routes he used in Istanbul. He made preparations for the attack for a total of 15 days in...