Turkish authorities are still investigating who carried out the Tuesday bombings at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, killing at least 41 people, while US officials are urging military members in the region to take simple measures to reduce risk. At least three attackers arrived at the airport’s terminal on Tuesday, opening fire before detonating suicide vests when police fired back. The attack injured 239 people, according to the BBC. As of Wednesday evening, no group had taken responsibility for the attack, though Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said early indications pointed to ISIS. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday spoke with Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Isik to express condolences for the attack, calling it “a cowardly assault on a stalwart NATO ally,” according to a readout of the call. US Army Col. Christopher Garver, spokesman for the US-led Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said during a Wednesday briefing that ISIS has not taken responsibility for the attack, but the coalition knows it “wants to project power and conduct attacks outside of Iraq and Syria. They want to use their funds to conduct global attacks, really start global chaos.” US European Command, in a message on its Facebook page, said the attack “highlights the continuing threat of terrorism” in Europe and pressed those in the region to “remain aware of your surroundings” and take simple steps, such as limiting time in airports, to remain safe.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.