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World condemns bomb attack in Turkey's south

UN, NATO, US, Germany, France, Pakistan among those voicing solidarity with Turkey after attack in Suruç

Ersin Çelik
08:55 - 21/07/2015 Salı
Update: 06:01 - 21/07/2015 Salı
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The deadly bomb attack in southern Turkey that killed at least 30 people on Monday was condemned around the world.



The suspected suicide attack in Suruç, a town in Sanliurfa province close to the Syrian border, targeted activists preparing to visit Kobani, the Syrian town devastated by fighting between Daesh and Kurdish forces.



UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack through his official spokesman. "No cause or grievance ever justifies the targeting of civilians," Farhan Haq told reporters in New York.



Referring to Ban, Haq added: "He sends his deepest condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the government and people of Turkey, and wishes those injured a speedy recovery."



A statement from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also strongly condemned the bombing. He said: "There can be no justification for terrorism. We stand in strong solidarity with the people and government of our ally Turkey."



In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest strongly condemned the "heinous" attack. "We express our solidarity with the Turkish government and the Turkish people and reaffirm our undeterred resolve in the fight against the shared threat of terrorism," he said.



"We continue to be mindful of the destabilizing impact that extremist groups like ISIL have in the region and that's why you have seen the president work so hard to build and lead an international coalition to degrade and ultimately destroy them."



German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged the international community to take strong measures against terrorism.



"I condemn this heinous act in the strongest terms," he said in a statement. “The attack in Suruç shows that we cannot relax in our fight against terrorism. Turkey is a significant partner in this regard."



In a written statement, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius offered condolences for the victims' families and voiced France's solidarity with Turkey.



"I condemn in the strongest terms the suicide attack that hit the Turkish town of Suruç and has caused many deaths and injuries," he said.



"France stands by Turkey in face of this attack, which again shows the significance of our cooperation in the fight against extremism and terrorism."



Richard Moore, Britain's ambassador to Ankara, said he was “horrified" at the attack. In a message on Twitter, he said: “Thoughts with the wounded and with grieving families. I have kids that age. UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Turkey in condemning unequivocally all terrorism."



Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond wrote: “I condemn unreservedly today's sickening attack in #Suruc #Turkey. My deepest sympathies are with the injured families of those killed."



A message on the U.S. embassy's official Twitter feed said: "We join all those across Turkey condemning the cowardly terrorist attack on innocents in Suruç."



Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also his condolences. In a message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he said: "Dear brother, I share your grief by this tragedy. On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I offer my condolences to you, the families of the victims and all Turkish people and wish the wounded a quick recovery."



Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga sent a condolence letter to Erdoğan, offering her country's support.



“The war against terrorism and extremism is our common war to strengthen the foundations of global security and maintain the stability in the world," Jahjaga said.



Serzh Sargsyan, president of neighboring Armenia, also sent a message of condolence to Erdogan. "We condemn all kinds of terror," he said in a message on his official website. “Please accept my condolences on the incident. I wish strength for the relatives of the victims and speedy recovery for the wounded."



Pakistan condemned the attack “in the strongest terms". In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that “so many precious lives have been lost. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families."



The statement added: “We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the brotherly people and government of Turkey and pray for the speediest recovery of those wounded in this abhorrent attack."

#bomb attack
#Suruc
#NATO
#condemn
#Sanliurfa
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