Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the world leaders who condemned the terrorist attack in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday night. At least 34 people were killed and 125 wounded after a car blew up in Ankara’s Kızılay square. The blast targeted the area’s bus transportation hub and the central metro station.
The explosion took place about half a mile from the point where a car bomb killed 29 people on Feb. 27.
Netanyahu’s message, issued by his office Sunday, read, “The Prime Minister condemns the mass terror attack which took the lives of innocent civilians and left dozens injured. Israel expresses its solidarity with the Turkish people in the war against terrorism and calls on the international community to unite in the fight against terror.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the terror attack via Tweeter: “I’m appalled by the devastating terror attacks in Ankara and the Ivory Coast. My thoughts are with all those affected.”
US State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement, “The United States strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in the Kizilay district of Ankara, Turkey. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed, and we wish a quick recovery to those injured. We reaffirm our strong partnership with our NATO Ally Turkey in combating the shared threat of terrorism.”
Counter-terrorism teams from the Istanbul Police Department carried out simultaneous anti-terror operations in various districts throughout the city, including Gaziosmanpaşa and detained a number of suspects, a day after the blast, Daily Sabah reported.
Fifteen people were detained on charges of making propaganda for the PKK and insulting state officials.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is a left-wing militant organization based in Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan, which, since 1984, has waged an armed struggle against the Turkish state for cultural and political rights and self-determination for the Kurds in Turkey. The Kurds comprise an estimated 25% of the Turkish population and have been subjected to repression for decades.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist group by several states and organizations, including NATO and the European Union. But the UN, India, China, Russia, Switzerland and Egypt do not consider the PKK a terrorist organization.
The PKK receives clandestine support from many sources, including in the EU. Since its establishment, the organization has conducted peace negotiations with Ankara, which have all collapsed over the Turkish insistence that Turkey is Turkish and that the Kurds should adapt.