A police bus carrying riot police was bombed today in central Istanbul, Turkey, killing at least 11 people and leaving 36 people injured, officials say.

The bomb on the bus was detonated remotely as it made its way through Istanbul's busy Vezneciler district. Governor Vasip Sahin told reporters on Tuesday that seven police officers and four citizens were among the victims of the explosion.

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The bomb blast occurred sometime during the morning rush hour, not far from the Istanbul University building and Istanbul's historic Beyazit Square. Gunfire was also reportedly heard immediately after the blast. 

No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the bombings. However, there have been several reports of violence in Turkey over the past couple of weeks due to the increased tensions caused by the Kurds and the neighboring Syrian Civil War. It is speculated that this attack might also be related to the growing tension in the area.

Several bombings have occurred in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's blast, with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as the Kurdistan Worker's Party rebels both playing a role in the attacks.

The Kurdistan Worker's Party, or the PKK, declared war against Turkey over autonomy in southeastern Turkey. This conflict, which has been going on for several decades, has claimed more than 40,000 lives. 

The PKK and the Turkish government had agreed to a ceasefire two years prior to their agreement, which broke down last summer.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan believes that both the PKK and the Islamic State have switched to attacking citizens because they have been unsuccessful in battling the Turkish government directly.

TagsTurkey, ISIS, PKK, bombing, Istanbul bomb blast, Istanbul blast, Istanbul bombing, police bus, police shuttle