CIA director: Istanbul attack bears hallmarks of Islamic State

WASHINGTON — CIA Director John Brennan said Wednesday that the attack in Istanbul has the earmarks of strikes by Islamic State militants and that the group is likely trying to hit the United States in the Middle East and on U.S. soil.

He said Tuesday's attack at Istanbul's busy Ataturk Airport that killed 41 people and wounded hundreds "bears the hallmarks of ISIL's depravity."

"If anybody here believes the U.S. homeland is hermetically sealed and that ISIL would not consider that, I would guard against it," Brennan said, using another acronym for the group.

Earlier this month, Brennan told Congress that the U.S. battle against the Islamic State has not yet curbed the group's global reach and that they are expected to plot more attacks on the West and incite violence by lone wolves. He said the Islamic State has a large cadre of Western fighters who could potentially act as operatives for attacks in the West.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details on the airport attack.

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