Leaders in Turkey have condemned Sunday’s attacks on two churches in Egypt, which were claimed by the Daesh terror group, as well as an al-Shabaab car bomb attack on a convoy in Somalia.
Presidential spokesman İbrahim Kalın tweeted his condolences and said, “We strongly condemn the heinous terror attacks on churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday today.”
Mehmet Görmez, head of Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), “cursed” the attacks and said they are the shared problem of all humanity.
“The immunity of a place of worship, no matter the religion it belongs to, cannot be violated and the bloodthirsty killing of innocent worshippers cannot ever be forgiven,” Görmez said in an official statement.
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also published a statement denouncing the attack in the Nile Delta town of Tanta, which killed at least 26 people.
“We convey our condolences to the bereaved families and the whole people of Egypt,” the statement said before a second attack hit an Alexandria church, killing at least 11 people.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement condemning the deadly car bomb attack in Somalia, which targeted a top military commander and killed 13, including some civilians.
“We have learned with deep sorrow that today (9 April) a suicide attack which targeted a convoy carrying high level military officials near the compound of the Ministry of Defense, claimed lives of many people including those of civilians and injured many others.”
“We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack. We wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in the attacks, convey our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish speedy recovery to the wounded. Turkey will remain committed to stand by Somalia in its fight against terrorism,” the MFA statement added.
Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also tweeted condemnation of Egypt’s church attacks and extending his condolences, saying, “We strongly condemn the heinous terror attacks on churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday today.” “We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a quick recovery for the wounded.”
