The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

Nov. 20 -- — Today, suicide bombers hit Turkey again, this time at the British Consulate and the headquarters of the HSBC bank in Istanbul with devastating results — so far 27 dead including the British Consul General and hundreds injured. Today's bombing was highly coordinated with one vehicle crashing through the British Consulate gates that had opened for the Consul General who was getting into his car to exit the compound. The timing of the attacks on the British targets also appeared to coincide with the visit of President Bush to the U.K. This marks the second time in six days that suicide bombers have struck in Turkey .

THE WAR ON TERROR

ISTANBUL BOMBING

Turkey Terror Bombing Kills 27 PeopleTruck bombings strike London-based bank, British consulate in Turkey, killing 27 and hurting 450. (AP)

Caller Says Al Qaeda Behind BlastsA caller to Turkey's semi-state Anatolian news agency has claimed responsibility for two blasts in Istanbul in the name of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network and of a small Turkish Islamist group, CNN Turk has said. (Reuters)

About IBDA — Group Takes Responsibility for Blasts (Forsnet)

Bombers Target U.K. InterestsThe U.K. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said the latest explosions in the Turkish city of Istanbul have all the hallmarks of al Qaeda and groups associated with it. (BBC)

Bush, Blair Defiant as Turkey Blasts Dominate VisitAllies George W. Bush and Tony Blair stood defiantly side by side on Thursday, saying that deadly blasts in Istanbul proved the need to press on with the war against terrorism and justified the war in Iraq. (Reuters)

Six Arrested for Turkey Synagogue Blasts Authorities arrested six people Wednesday in connection with the suicide bombings of two Istanbul synagogues as opposition leaders accused Turkey's government of being too lenient toward Muslim radicals. (AP)

Greece Boosts Security After Turkey BlastsGreek police tightened security around U.S., British and Israeli companies and embassies on Thursday after deadly explosions rocked Istanbul in neighboring Turkey, police officials told Reuters. (Reuters)

REGIONAL REPORTS

PakistanAl Qaeda Men Caught In Waziristan Not Given To U.S.Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said on Wednesday the two key al Qaeda members arrested from Waziristan had not been handed over to the United States. (Daily Times)

Saudi Arabia Bid to Smuggle Arms Into Kingdom Foiled Saudi authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle explosives, including 300 dynamite sticks, into the southern border region of Jizan, al Riyadh newspaper reported yesterday. (Arab News)