OIC, EU and NATO Condemn Istanbul Attack

Istanbul nightclub attack caps off dreadful year for Turkey.

 
Jeddah, 03 Rabiul Akhir 1438/02 January 2017 (MINA) – Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen has emphatically denounced a nightclub attack in Istanbul that took place early Sunday and left at least 39 people dead and many others wounded.

Al-Othaimeen was quted by KUNA as saying in a press release he was shocked at the incident, but expressed the solidarity and support of the OIC Member States to all security efforts the Turkish government is taking to fight terrorism.

He also offered his condolences to the Turkish government and to the families of the victims over the victims of this tragedy.

The OIC chief reaffirmed his organization’s principled position based on denouncing all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations.

Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag said earlier Sunday that 39 people, including Arabs and foreigners, were killed and 65 others wounded in an attack that targeted a nightclub in Istanbul.

KUNA reported from Brussel Brussels that The EU and NATO condemned Sunday the attack on a nightclub in Istanbul in which at least 39 people are reported to have been killed.

“2017 starts with an attack in Istanbul. Our thoughts are with victims and their loved ones. We continue to work to prevent these tragedies,” said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in a twitter message.

On his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted “Tragic start to 2017 in Istanbul. My thoughts are with those affected by the attack on people celebrating New Year and with the Turkish people.” (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)