Allies, Council of Europe condemn deadly attack in Turkey

ANKARA

Police inspect the scene of the deadly blasts. AA photo

Turkey's allies and international organizations have joined in unison condemnation of two deadly attacks which killed dozens of people in the capital city of Ankara on Oct. 10, while expressing solidarity with Turkey.

"I condemn the barbaric attack on peaceful demonstrators in Ankara today. Freedom of assembly is a fundamental pillar of democracy," Thomas Jagland, the secretary general of the top European human rights body, the Council of Europe, said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has sent her condolences to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, calling the attacks that killed scores in Ankara "particularly cowardly acts that were aimed directly at civil rights, democracy and peace."

Merkel said the attack "is an attempt at intimidation and an attempt to spread fear." 

"I am convinced that the Turkish government and all of Turkish society stands together at this time with a response of unity and democracy to this terror," she said.

In Ankara, both the British Embassy and the U.S. Embassy deplored the attacks in messages swiftly posted to their Twitter account likewise Jagland did.

"We condemn the latest violent attack in Ankara. All of us must stand united against terror," the U.S. Embassy in Turkey said on its official account.

“The U.S. expresses its deep condolences to the Turkish people and to the families of the victims of today’s horrendous attack,” it said. 

Richard Moore, the British Ambassador to Turkey, preferred to use his personal official Twitter account for voicing his reaction as he said: "Shocked to see scenes at Ankara bombing. Condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. My thoughts with wounded and their loved ones. Such terrorism is inhuman and never justified under any circumstances. Having lived through 7/7 bombing in London, now is time for calm and measured response by all."

The director of Britain's counter-terrorism police unit has said British police are providing "ongoing support" to investigators in Turkey after the deadly explosions.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, who heads the police counter-terrorism department, said British police are working closely with Turkish investigators. 

He urged anyone in Britain's "affected" communities with information about the Oct. 10 attack in Turkey to contact the police anti-terrorist hotline.

"We are deeply saddened to hear" of the deadly explosions, he said, offering condolences to Turkey and to the substantial Turkish community in Britain.

British police have been working with Turkish police to try to prevent Britons from traveling to Turkey and then into Syria to join ISIL.


Putin sends message
The leader of Russia, at odds with Turkey during the recent violation of Turkish airspace during its bombing on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria, also reacted to the Ankara attack. 

Kremlin said in a written statement that Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expanding his condolences. 

Pakistan, which has deeply-rooted bilateral relations with Turkey, also strongly condemned the attacks which it called as "heinous act of terrorism."

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the brotherly people and government of Turkey and pray for the speediest recovery of those injured in this abhorrent attack. Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. While reaffirming our abiding support and solidarity for the fraternal Turkish nation in their struggle against terrorism, we are certain that Turkey would overcome this scourge with its characteristic resolve and determination," Pakistan's Embassy in Turkey said in a written statement.