World mourns after twin bombing in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

World leaders and other members of the international community expressed their condolences and condemnation following twin bombings in Istanbul that killed at least 41 people, including 30 police officers, late on Dec. 10, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The U.S. Embassy to Turkey condemned the attack, showing solidarity with the country against terror.
“We condemn tonight’s cowardly attack, and salute the courage of the Turkish people as we stand with them against terror,” the embassy tweeted.

The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul also stated that it was monitoring the attack, urging its citizens to avoid the area.

“Please avoid the area, monitor local press reporting, and let friends and family know you are OK,” the consulate said in a tweet.

U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price issued a written statement after the attacks, stating that the U.S. strongly condemned the attack.

“We are in solidarity with our NATO ally Turkey against terrorists who are threatening Turkey, the U.S. and global stability and peace,” he stated. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced Saturday’s deadly blasts in Istanbul - and is calling on Turkey to publicly denounce any attacks against Israel.

Netanyahu said at his cabinet meeting on Dec. 11 that “Israel condemns any terror in Turkey, and Israel expects Turkey to condemn any act of terror in Israel. The battle against terror must be mutual.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences to Turkish counterpart Erdoğan and condemned the attack.

In a written statement, Putin lamented the “immoral and flagrant attack” and said he was sure those behind it would be held to account.

The attack also drew condemnation from EU officials.

“Following news from #Istanbul, in contact with authorities. All our solidarity to all citizens of #Turkey,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini tweeted.

“Strongly condemn attack in #Istanbul! Violence has no place in a democratic society. @EUDelegationTur,” Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn tweeted. 
The ambassador of the United Kingdom to Turkey, Richard Moore, also condemned the attack. 

“I condemn again the terrorist attack last night. My condolences to families of those killed & wishes for a speedy recovery to injured. Those policemen are not faceless uniforms but sons, brothers, fathers. Nothing can ever justify this barbarity,” he stated via his official twitter account.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned the attack.

“I condemn the horrific acts of terror in #Istanbul. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones and our Ally Turkey,” he tweeted.

In addition, British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson condemned the attack on his Twitter account.

“Condemn attack in #Istanbul. My thoughts are with all those affected. UK committed to working with #Turkey to tackle terrorism,” Johnson said.

In addition, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry spokesperson Tamas Menczer stated that the attack was also conducted against the European Union.

“The European Union’s security starts with stability in Turkey. So, these kinds of attack were also conducted against the European Union,” Menczer said.