The group calling itself the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the New Year's Day attack on an Istanbul nightclub. The terror organization issued a statement through its media channels confirming that they orchestrated the attack, and called the gunman its "soldier."
Turkish media reported earlier that a cell affiliated with the international terrorist group was likely behind the attack, and authorities had already been investigating similarities between the nightclub attack and last June's suicide bomb and gun attack at Istanbul's main airport.
Meanwhile, the gunman remains at large. According to several Turkish newspapers, officials reportedly believe the attacker is originally form a central Asian nation, most likely either Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan.
The attack left 39 people dead and dozens more injured. Most of the victims were foreigners, including one Canadian.