Hatice Kesgin
29 June 2016•Update: 01 July 2016
By Ilkay Guder
ANKARA
A terror attack on an airport in Istanbul that targeted innocent people, once again shows the dark face of terrorist organizations, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.
Erdogan strongly condemned the attack at Ataturk Airport that killed 31 victims and injured 147 others late Tuesday.
“We expect that a resolute stance against terrorist organizations should be adopted by the world and especially Western countries with their parliament, media and non-governmental organizations,” Erdogan said in a statement while stressing that Turkey would continue its fight against terror groups.
“Turkey will continue its fight against all terrorist organizations at all costs until the end of terrorism,” he said.
Erdogan also stressed that Turkey has enough power, wisdom and potential to fight terrorism and warned of consequences if all nations fail to join a global effort to defeat it.
“All the bad terrorist scenarios, acts -- even we fear to bring them into our minds -- will come true one by one if all countries do not carry out a joint fight against terrorist organizations,” he said.
The president offered his condolences to the victims’ families, praying to Allah to grant His Mercy on the deceased and grant the injured a speed recovery.
Victims were transferred to several hospitals where they are being treated following the attack.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said an attacker opened fire using an AK-47 assault rifle at the international terminal before detonating a suicide bomb.
Gov. Vasip Sahin said law enforcement was evaluating the possible involvement of up to three suicide bombers.
Preliminary findings pointed to a terrorist group as being responsible, according to Bozdag -- information he said needed additional confirmation.
*Anadolu Agency correspondent Hatice Kesgin contributed to this report from Ankara.
