ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday condemned the “heinous terrorist attack” in a Moscow concert hall that left at least 133 people dead.
Turkey has growing ties with Russia and Erdogan often speaks on the phone with President Vladimir Putin as he seeks to mediate between Moscow and Ukraine.
“We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack targeting innocent civilians,” Erdogan told a public rally in the capital Ankara.
“Terrorism is unacceptable no matter who it comes from or who the perpetrator is.”
Erdogan said Turkey shared Russia’s pain, adding: “We’ll continue to fight against terror, the common enemy of humanity.”
In a phone call with Putin after the rally, Erdogan expressed “his deep sorrow and condolences … for the terrorist attack in Moscow”, his office said.
Erdogan also told the Russian leader that “the attack demonstrated the need to end the crises in the region peacefully as soon as possible”, adding that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Moscow in the fight against terror.
Russia on Saturday said it had arrested 11 people — including four gunmen — over the Crocus City Hall attack claimed by the Islamic State.