UPDATE - Worldwide condemnation pours in after terror attack in Turkish capital Ankara

ADDS NEW STATEMENTS

By Burak Bir and Alperen Aktas

LONDON / ANKARA (AA) – World leaders expressed solidarity with Türkiye and condemned a terror attack foiled by security forces in the capital Ankara on Sunday morning, in which two police officers received minor injuries.

At 9.30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT), one of the two terrorists blew himself up in front of the General Directorate of Security in the city.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the terror attack, stating in a post on X: “NATO stands in solidarity with #Türkiye in the fight against terrorism.”

The French Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with Türkiye.

“Terrible news from #Ankara, which has been hit by a terrorist attack today. We express our solidarity with the people of Türkiye & wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” said the German Foreign Ministry.

Austria condemned the “heinous attack,” and wished injured police officers a speedy recovery.

“We reject all forms of terrorism and stand in solidarity with Türkiye,” the Austrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry “strongly condemns” the attack, saying “Romania stands in full solidarity with #Türkiye & wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

“Greece also issued a statement, strongly condemning the terrorist attack. "We express our solidarity with the people and Government of Türkiye and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the Foreign Ministry said on X.

Sweden strongly condemns the terrorist attack, pledging long-term cooperation with Türkiye in combatting terrorism and wishing the injured a quick and full recovery.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country "strongly" condemns the terror attack.

“We reaffirm our commitment to long-term cooperation with Türkiye in combatting terrorism and wish for quick and full recovery of the ones injured,” he added.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom stated that the country "stands firm in its long-term commitment and partnership" with Türkiye in fighting all forms of terrorism.

"Shocked by the terrorist attack in Ankara, Türkiye, this morning. Strongly condemn this cowardly attempt to inflict injury and death upon the Turkish people," European Council President Charles Michel said on X.

He also expressed solidarity with the victims, their families, and Türkiye.

The EU has condemned the terrorist attack and expressed solidarity with Türkiye, as well as wishing the injured a speedy recovery, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on X.

"We support Türkiye in its fight against terrorism," noted Oliver Varhelyi, EU commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, wishing recovery for injured officers.

Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, head of the EU delegation in Türkiye, also condemned the attack and wished the wounded police officers a speedy recovery.

"I am following the developments in Ankara very carefully. The Italian government strongly condemns all forms of terrorism," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X, adding that Italy stands in full solidarity with Türkiye.

Nacho Sanchez Amor, a Spanish politician and European Parliament member, was among those who condemned the terrorist attack.

"Appalled by the terrorist attack in Ankara today ... We condemn all forms of terrorism and stand firmly in support of our friend and ally Türkiye in its fight against it," British Ambassador to Türkiye Jill Morris said in a post on X.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama "strongly" condemned the terror attack, saying "it should help many in Europe to better understand and support Türkiye in its fight against terrorism."

Albanian Foreign Ministry and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani also condemned the terror attack, expressing full solidarity with Türkiye.

"Saddened to hear about the terrorist attacks in Ankara, Türkiye, but relieved to learn that the intended damage was largely averted by Turkish institutions,” said Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

The Kosovar Foreign Ministry also condemned the terror attack, saying it stands “in full solidarity with Türkiye and reject any form of terrorist violence.”

President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Prime Minister Unal Ustel both issued statements condemning the terrorist attack.

“I wish urgent healing to the security members injured in the treacherous terrorist attack that occurred this morning in front of the entrance gate of the Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Security in the homeland of the Republic of Türkiye, and I strongly condemn the attack," TRNC President Tatar said on X.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning the attack.

In a statement, the ministry expressed full solidarity with the Turkish people and government, wishing all injured a speedy recovery.

It reiterated Egypt's rejection of all forms of terrorism and violence that jeopardize stability and intimidate citizens.

Islamabad has condemned the "heinous" terrorist attack, saying "Pakistan stands resolutely with our Turkish brethren in their fight against the menace of terrorism," the country’s embassy in Ankara stated on X.

Caretaker Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also said in a separate statement on X: "I have no doubt that under the dynamic leadership of my brother (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, the resolute Turkish nation will emerge ever stronger from this challenge."

The US Embassy in Ankara also issued a statement on X, saying Washington "offer our condolences to those injured and wish them a speedy recovery. We stand in solidarity with Türkiye against terrorism."

Jordan's Foreign Ministry condemned "all forms of violence and terrorism that could destabilize security and stability."

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the kingdom rejects all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism, and pledged support to Türkiye in its efforts to eliminate terrorist elements.

In a written statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” and stressed support for Türkiye in the face of terrorism.

The ministry underlined its confidence in Türkiye’s ability to confront and defeat terrorism, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also reiterated his country’s support for all measures taken by Ankara to confront terrorist acts and maintain its security and stability.