Turkey's Erdogan says Istanbul suicide bomber was of Syrian originJanuary 12, 2016 - 16:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said an attack on Istanbul's tourist heart on Tuesday, January 12 that killed 10 people and wounded 15 was carried out by a suicide bomber of Syrian origin and foreigners were among the dead, AFP reports. "I strongly condemn the terror attack which was carried out by a suicide bomber of Syrian origin," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara in his first reaction to the blast. "Unfortunately... there are fatalities, including locals and foreigners. This incident showed again we have to stand together in the face of terror." "Turkey's determined position will not change. We don't make any difference between the names or abbreviations (of terror groups)." "The first target of all the terror groups active in this region is Turkey. Because Turkey fights them all with the same determination," he added. Turkey has been on high alert after a series of attacks blamed on the Islamic State jihadist group including a double suicide bombing in the capital Ankara in October that left 103 people dead. But Turkey is also waging an all-out assault on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which Ankara and its Western allies classify as a terror group. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |