Istanbul attack condemned worldwide

Turkey received an outpouring of solidarity messages from across the world on Jan. 12, after a suicide bomber killed at least 10 people, including many tourists, in the busy and popular historic neighborhood of Sultanahmet in the country's largest city, Istanbul.

The European Union said it stood with Turkey in the fight "against all forms of terrorism" after the explosion in the heart of Istanbul.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Jan. 12 that both sides "must step up our efforts to counter extremist violence" and noted this had been set as a priority at a November 2015 EU-Turkey summit in Brussels.

The Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly president, Anne Brasseur, "strongly condemned" the attack while expressing her support for Turkey and condolences to the Turkish people. 

"Turkey can count on our support in combating terrorism and violent extremism. It is the duty of all democratic political forces to stand up against radicalization and the hatred that fuels violent extremism and terrorism," Brasseur's statement said. 

The official twitter account of the United States Embassy in Ankara posted a tweet quoting U.S. Ambassador John Bass saying the U.S. was "closely following reports" on the explosion. 

"Our thoughts are with those affected," the tweet said.

The official Twitter account of the British ambassador to Turkey posted a tweet expressing "concern" at reports of the Sultanahmet explosion. 

"In touch with Turkish authorities. Thoughts with those injured. Nationalities of victims currently unknown," the tweet said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg strongly condemned the terrorist attack in the metropolis and extended his condolences to the families of the...