President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has lashed out the Wednesday's attack which targetted the military convoy near a busy intersection in the evening rush hour.
28 people were killed and 61 others were injured when a bomb-laden car was detonated when the military buses stopped at a red light near the armed forces' headquarters in Ankara. Erdoğan's statement was heard in the wake of the deadly attack.
“We are determined to continue our fighting against the pawns, who were involved in the attack, and the power behind the attack," Erdoğan said in his statement.
“Our determination to retaliate to these attacks which target our unity, solidarity and our future, in homeland and abroad, are increasing with such actions," he also noted.
“Turkey would never hesitate to use its right of self-defence at any case, anywhere and at any time."
“Those, who thought they might distract our nation and country from their goal by using terrorist organisations as tool, actually were wrong," he added.
The President canceled his state visit to Azerbaijan. after the bomb attack which has sent shock waves tı the heart of the capital. He was originally scheduled to leave for Azerbijan for February 18.
The car-bomb attack come nearly four months after the twin bomb explosions; the deadliest-ever attack on the Turkish soil. At least 90 people were killed and 245 others were injured at a peace rally in Ankara when two bombs exploded near its main train station on October 10, 2015. In early October, the death toll has standed at 102 and the number of injured has climbed up to 400 in twin bombings in Turkey's capital.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said that Turkey will never take a step back from its jusitified fight against the entire terrorist organisations.
“The Republic of Turkey would never let anyone violate its laws and it would never give up its struggle no matter whoever threatens us," he said. “Those, who orchestrated this nefarious assault that targetted our country, nation and democracy, will never achieve their aim," he noted, adding that Turkey will countinue to protect its national security.
Meanwhile, Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu said that they have obtained an intelligence suggesting the Wednesday's attack was connected with a terror organisation. Eroğlu did not specify which organisation he was refering to. “We do not have detailed information at that moment. It is too early to make further comment on this," he said.
Turkish General Staff has strongly condemned the bomb attack and reiterated the Turkish Army's detetmination in the terror fighting. "There were military personnel among the casualties," it said, adding that a high-ranking military official is among casualties but he is in good condition. "30 out of 61 injured were discharged form hospitals."
Turkey has faced multiple security threats. It is part of a U.S.-led coalition fighting Daesh in Syria and Iraq. It has been shelling Syrian Kurdish militia in four consecutive days in northern Syria in retalition of its artilery strike. Turkey considers PYD and its armed wing YPG as terrorist organisation because of its link with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) who has been fighting for a Kurdish-self rule in the Southeast since 1984.
