Obama: America Stands with the People of Turkey

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, responded on Wednesday to the suicide attacks at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, stating that America stands with the people of Turkey in their fight against terrorism. According to CNN, the U.S. President, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Canada, emphasized America's commitment to fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) during a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reports indicate that on Tuesday evening, three armed men attacked the airport's departure hall, first shooting at attendees and then carrying out suicide bombings at three locations within the airport. At least 42 people were killed in these attacks. On Wednesday, another victim of the incident, a 22-year-old kitchen worker, died in a hospital in Istanbul due to severe injuries. Previously, the governor of Istanbul had reported 41 deaths and 239 injuries from the Ataturk Airport attacks. The U.S. President stated, "I am confident that we can defeat those who bring nothing but destruction and death." Barack Obama added, "They (ISIS) are continuously losing their territory and are unable to govern the areas they have seized. They will be defeated in Syria and Iraq." The U.S. President made it clear, "We will not rest until we dismantle this network of hatred that has affected the entire civilized world." John Brennan, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), also stated on Wednesday that evidence from the Ataturk Airport attack indicates it was carried out by ISIS, and there is a possibility that the group may conduct attacks on U.S. soil. In this context, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that Turkey will overcome "terrorism." He emphasized that terrorist groups want to prevent Turkey from achieving its goals, such as becoming one of the top 10 economies in the world or constructing the largest airport in the world. Erdogan clarified, "Neither PKK nor ISIS can prevent Turkey from achieving its goals." The Turkish President thanked world leaders, especially Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin, for expressing condolences to the people of Turkey. Earlier reports indicated that 23 of the victims of Tuesday evening's attacks were Turkish citizens. In this context, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister confirmed the death of one Iranian and reported that five other Iranians were injured in the suicide attacks at Ataturk Airport. The number of victims of the Ataturk Airport incident reached 41, with the suicide attacks in Istanbul leaving dozens dead and injured.