Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area

Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area.

Jakarta - The Indonesian Government condemned a terrorist attack on Turkey's city of Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue in the Taksim area on Sunday in which six people were killed and 81 suffered injuries.

According to a statement issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara on Monday, none of the Indonesian citizens in Istanbul had fallen victims to the bomb blast.

As of Monday, no reports were received of Indonesians falling victims to the blast, the embassy revealed.

Moreover, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara and the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul continue to coordinate with local authorities and Indonesian community members staying near the Taksim area," the embassy remarked.

The pedestrian street where the bomb explosion occurred is one of the popular destinations for Indonesians and other foreign tourists visiting Istanbul.

According to the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, some 500 Indonesians currently reside in the city. Hence, Indonesians are urged to stay alert and avoid crowded places unless necessary.

The Indonesian Government in Jakarta condemned the attack and expected that those responsible for the deadly blast could immediately be brought to justice.

The Indonesian Government also highly lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his decision to continue to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali Island scheduled to be held on Nov 15-16.

Meanwhile, according to TRTWorld, Istiklal Avenue has been reopened to pedestrian traffic, and local authorities had apprehended the suspect, who left the bomb on the crowded street.

"The order for the deadly terror attack came from Ayn al Arab in northern Syria, where the PKK/PYD has its Syrian headquarters," Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Monday.

"Terror attacks against civilians are direct and indirect consequences of some countries' support for terror groups," Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun was quoted by TRTWorld as saying.

According to TRTWorld, PYD and YPG are the political and armed wings of the PKK in Syria, while Turkey, the United States, and the European Union recognize PKK as a "terrorist organization."

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop