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Azerbaijan condemns terrorist attack in Ankara

Xinhua, March 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Monday condemned the suicide car bomb attack in neighboring Turkey which left at least 37 dead and 71 wounded.

In a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Aliyev, on behalf of the Azerbaijani people, conveyed condolences to the families of those killed on Sunday in Ankara and wished a quick recovery to the wounded.

"We are extremely outraged by this horrible tragedy, resolutely condemn terrorism and emphasize the importance of fighting against it in the fiercest manner," President Aliyev said in the letter.

Azerbaijan's Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov also shared his sorrow and condolences to the Minister of National Defence of Turkey Ismet Yilmaz and Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Hulusi Akar, said Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

In a letter to his Turkish colleagues, Zakir Hasanov offered sympathy for those killed and injured in Sunday's explosion in the capital of Turkey and affirmed that Azerbaijan will always stand with Turkey and its people in the fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not cancel his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan, scheduled for March 15, local media quoted the Embassy of Turkey to Baku as saying. According to the Embassy, the Turkish President is expected to meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart and other Azerbaijani officials as part of his Baku trip.

Last month, Erdogan cancelled his visit to Azerbaijan, scheduled for Feb. 18, due to the Feb. 17 terrorist attack in Ankara.

The Sunday attack took place in Kizilay district in the heart of Ankara at 18:35 local time (GMT 1635), killing at least 37 people and injuring 71 others, according to the Turkish health minister.

Turkish local media said Sunday that a bomb-loaded car exploded near a bus stop where many people were waiting. A number of vehicles, including a bus carrying passengers, were set on fire near Guven Park, a major transportation hub. Endite