24 November 2017•Update: 24 November 2017
By Ilkay Guder
ANKARA
Turkey condemned Friday's gun-and-bomb attack on a mosque in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula that left 235 people dead and hundreds of others injured.
In a speech in Istanbul, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said: "235 innocent people were killed, there are hundreds of others injured. Is this Islam? Is this humanity?"
The attack on the mosque in the city of Al-Arish came following Friday prayers.
After detonating a bomb, attackers opened fire on worshippers and then attempted to stop ambulances from accessing the area, according to Egypt's Nile News television channel.
Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Friday described the incident as a “heinous attack”.
"Turkey considers terrorism as a crime against humanity whatever its source and reason, and strongly expresses this view in its all international, regional and bilateral contacts," Kalin said in a statement.
He wished Allah’s mercy on those who lost their lives and conveyed his condolences to Egyptians.
He added the incident once again emphasized the vital importance of an "effective international cooperation" against terrorism.
Kalin also said Turkey sincerely shares the sorrow of friendly and brotherly people of Egypt.
Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek tweeted: ''More bloodshed, more innocent lives, broken dreams, separated families as a result of a terrorist act perpetrated by twisted minded sick individuals.
''Our prayers are with families of the victims. We stand united with our brothers and sisters in Egypt against terror.''
Turkish Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the incident with a statement issued on its website.
"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack perpetrated today [Nov. 24] on a mosque located in the west of Al-Arish [northern Sinai], causing many casualties and wounded people," the statement said.
"We convey our condolences to the families and brotherly people of Egypt, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded," it added.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also called his Egyptian counterpart during the day to offer condolences.
Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman also sent a condolence message to his Egyptian counterpart Ali Abdel Aal.
''I strongly condemn the treacherous terrorist attack that has been carried out today against the innocent people who were at Friday prayers and which has caused the death of many of our brothers," Kahraman said.
"I wish my condolences to the Egyptian people and their families who have lost their lives in the attack. We share your pain. I repeat my best wishes to you and the people of Egypt,'' he added
Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmus tweeted: ''I curse the attack on our brothers who were worshipping at the mosque for Friday prayers.
''We should tackle all terrorist organizations without exception and with will.''
He wished Allah’s mercy on those who lost their lives and conveyed his condolences to the Egyptian people.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Egyptian presidency, meanwhile, has declared a three-day countrywide mourning for the victims.
The Sinai Peninsula has remained the of a low-intensity militant insurgency since mid-2013, when the army ousted and imprisoned Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first freely-elected president, in a bloody military coup.
The insurgency has been largely confined to the northern Sinai Peninsula, but sporadic attacks have also occurred on the Egyptian mainland, including capital Cairo.
