Global condemnation over Istiklal Street blast in Istanbul

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Istiklal street blast
Ambulances and people gathered at Istiklal street after explosion

Istanbul, 14 November 2022 (TDI): A blast occurred in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district on Istiklal Street around the afternoon on Sunday. The initial signs of the attack pointed to a possible terrorist attack.

The blast has received global condemnation. On this incident, Embassies, Presidents, and Officials of the Middle East and African countries take to Twitter to offer their condolences.

Saudi Arabia

The Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned the act while declaring it a ‘cowardly terrorist act.’

Salman bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of the Kingdom sent his condolences to the Turkish people. He assured his support against the organizations that undermine the country’s security and stability.

Qatar

The Foreign Affairs office of Qatar also released a tweet denouncing the bombing incident. It reiterates Qatar’s firm position on rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of any motives and reasons.

The Ministry also sent condolences to the victims of the vile incident, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

UAE

The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Ankara, Saeed Al Dhaheri conveyed his condolences to the government of Turkiye. He said that the government of UAE condemns any sort of criminal act that devalue human life.

Egypt

Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, condemned “the terrorist explosion” and expressed condolences to Türkiye.

He also underlined the need of rallying international efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms.

Jordan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Jordan, Ayman Safadi said on Twitter that Jordan “strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attack in Istanbul & stand in full solidarity with Turkish brethren”.

Blast on Istiklal street

The blast occurred around 4:20 pm local time on a busy street (Istiklal) in the Beyoglu district, the heart of Istanbul, killing at least six people and wounding 81.

Istiklal Street Blast
People place flowers over a memorial at the spot of the explosion.

The incident has been deemed a terrorist attack by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

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Turkish officials believe that Kurdish separatists from the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) were most likely behind the deadly suspected bomb attack.

It is pertinent to mention here that among the six people killed include Yusuf Meydan, a member of Turkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services along with his daughter Ecrin.