Has the mastermind behind the assassination of the Russian ambassador been identified?

The Jabhat Fatah al-Sham militant group (formerly the al-Nusra Front) has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara, Türkiye, on December 19.

According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, the terrorist organization claimed responsibility through a letter that appeared on the internet today (December 21).

Leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani. (Photo: Ibtimes)

Earlier that day, Turkish media reported that the number of people arrested in connection with the assassination of Russian ambassador to Türkiye Andrey Karlov had risen to 13. The arrests took place in Ankara, Izmir, and Aydin provinces, according to NTV television, citing police sources.

Mr. Karlov was shot by Melvut Mert Altintas (22 years old) at the opening ceremony of an art exhibition in Ankara on December 19.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called it a terrorist attack. Earlier reports indicated that six relatives of the assassin had been arrested. Some of them are believed to have links to the Fetullah Gulen (FETO) terrorist organization, which Ankara accuses of orchestrating the failed coup in July.

Earlier this year, the leaders of the al-Nusra Front militant group made what seemed like a strange decision: to break away from the al-Qaeda terrorist network and change its name.

The organization's leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, announced its departure from al-Qaeda on July 28, asserting that the militant group would have no contact with any foreign parties. He also stated that the al-Nusra Front had been renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, or the Syrian Conquest Front.

According to Vietnamnet.vn