One of the masterminds of the Reina nightclub attack in Istanbul has been killed in a U.S. raid on Daesh terrorists in Syria, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday.
The U.S.'s Middle East command confirmed the death of Abdurakhmon Uzbeki, saying he was killed by American forces near the eastern Syrian city of Mayadin.
Uzbeki was a close associate of Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Central Command spokesman Col. John Thomas told reporters.
Uzbeki, who was killed April 6, is said to have helped carry out the deadly attack that killed 39 victims at the nightclub.
"We've clearly linked him with the Istanbul" attack, Thomas said.
In addition to the attack in Istabul, Uzbeki was a key facilitator for Daesh's funds and foreign fighters, Thomas said.
A lone Daesh gunman armed with a Kalashnikov had gunned down 39 revelers in the nightclub by the Bosporus shore during a New Year's party. The gunman was captured after a few weeks on the run.
The two suspects captured in Kağıthane, were from a sleeper cell of the terrorist group, police sources told the media. They were brought to police headquarters for further questioning.
Following the attack on Reina, Turkey launched nationwide operations that have netted hundreds of suspects. Turkey has also killed a large number of militants in Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria where the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is being supported by the Turkish military in its fight to retake towns captured by the Daesh terrorist group.
