Dubai: Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the twin anti-British bombings in Istanbul, in a message received today (Nov 21) by the Saudi newspaper 'al-Majallah'.

"Al-Qaeda and its associates throughout the world are the ones that carried out the two swift attacks" in Istanbul, said the message.

It also threatened "the United States and Japan... with new operations".

At least 27 people were killed and more than 400 wounded in yesterday's twin bombings against the British consulate and the Turkish headquarters of British-based HSBC bank.

Agencies