Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns attacks on Istanbul's Ataturk Airport

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Thursday “the terrorist attacks" on Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

“Again, the hand of terrorism terrified the innocent people, and once again, the International community was doubtless that the fight against terrorism must be a top priority,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The civilized world has no choice but to coordinate all its efforts in order to address the Takfiri terrorism with an united stance, and that militarily, ideologically, financially and with any other possible means,” the statement added.

Police in Istanbul conducted a series raids in the city targeting Islamic State suspects, the state-run news agency reported Thursday, following the gunfire and suicide bomb attack at Ataturk Airport which killed 42 people.

Anadolu Agency said police searched several addresses in Istanbul's Pendik, Basaksehir and Sultanbeyli neighborhoods but it was not clear if any arrests were made. There was no word on whether the raids were directly linked to the attack.

Authorities blamed the IS group for the coordinated attack by three assailants late Tuesday on one of the world's busiest airports, that also injured more than 230.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by the militant group.


LBCI/REUTERS