ISTANBUL

Several suspects linked to a deadly New Year’s Eve attack on an Istanbul nightclub were detained early Thursday on the outskirts of the city, police sources told Anadolu Agency. 

The Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Terror Branch conducted an operation at a housing community in Silivri after it received information individuals who might be linked to the attack were hiding in the area. 

“Aid and abet" charges were levied against suspects originally from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, according to sources who wished to remain anonymous and did not provide additional information about the operation or the number of suspects detained. 

At least 39 people, including a police officer, were killed when an attacker opened fire on partygoers at the Reina nightclub in the Ortakoy district early New Year’s Day.

Another 69 people were hurt, with a number of foreign nationals among the casualties. 

Police have detained 34 suspects linked to the attack, excluding Thursday's suspects.  

Authorities have released security camera images of the alleged shooter.

Reporting by Ibrahim Halil Cekici and Ugur Samet Avci; Writing byEsra Kaymak