NATO in solidarity with Turkey after Istanbul attack

ISTANBUL









NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on March 19 condemned the suicide bomb attack in Istanbul that killed five people, and said the treaty will continue to support Turkey in its fight against terror.“I strongly condemn this morning's terrorist attack on a pedestrian avenue in central Istanbul, yet another terrorist outrage targeting innocent civilians and our ally Turkey,” Stoltenberg said in a written statement.“My deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victims, and to the people of Turkey. My thoughts are also with all those who have been injured.“There can be no justification for terrorism. NATO Allies stand with Turkey, united in our determination to fight terrorism in all its forms,” said the NATO chief.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was on an official visit to Istanbul, described the bombing as an attack that showed "the ugly face of terrorism."France also condemned the attack."I strongly condemn this despicable and cowardly act that has caused the death of several people," Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement, adding that Paris stood in solidarity with Turkey.The attack was also condemned by the U.S. Embassy in Turkey.“Saddened, shocked by explosion on Istiklal. We mourn with families of the lost, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Embassy said on its official Twitter account.