Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Leaders from around the world have issued statements condemning the deadly attacks on Dec. 10 in Istanbul that killed at least 44 people and injured 150 others. 

The European Union, NATO and the United States expressed condolences on Dec. 11, hours after deadly bombings in Istanbul.     

Turkey has been the target of a series of terrorist attacks over the past years. Kurdish militants dubbed by Turkey as terrorists and the Islamic State are the two main perpetrators of attacks that have shocked the coutry.

Scores of people have hit the streets of Turkey's major cities to condemn a Dec. 10 attack that was claimed by an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) while expressing defiance as the death toll in the twin bombing attacks in the heart of Istanbul rose to 44.

A Turkish security expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, told BIRN that Saturday's twin blasts at a football stadium in Istanbul, killing at least 38 people, did not come as a surprise.

In a context of heightened security, political and ethnic tensions in recent months, terrorism may seem as the only option for groups that feel threatened by government oppression, he said.

The next few months could prove pivotal for Greek-Turkish relations as Cyprus reunification talks resume, Turkish air space violations continue and the refugee crisis festers.

A twin bomb attack in the heart of Istanbul that killed at least 41 people following a top-tier football game has sent the nation into mourning and great anger, with thousands hitting the streets in protest. 

A twin bomb attack in the heart of Istanbul that killed at least 39 people following a top-tier football game has sent the nation into mourning and great anger, with thousands hitting the streets in protest. 

A twin bomb attack in the heart of Istanbul that killed at least 38 people following a top-tier football game has sent the nation into mourning and great anger, with thousands hitting the streets in protest. 

A funeral was held at Istanbul police headquarters on Vatan Avenue in Fatih for five police officers who were killed in twin bombings in Istanbul late on Dec. 10.

Third-degree police chief Vefa Karakurdu, police chief Kadir Yıldırım and police officers Adem Oğuz, İlker Uylaş and Hasan Bilgin were laid to rest.

Turkey has declared a day of national mourning after twin attacks in Istanbul killed at least 38 people, including 30 police officers, late on Dec. 10, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The Ankara Governor's Office released an official written statement, notifying that a day of national mourning had been declared to commemorate the victims of the attack.