US deplores IS-claimed Istanbul attack

Washington, Jan 13: The US on Tuesday strongly condemned the suicide bomb attack in Istanbul, Turkey, while pledging to strengthen cooperation with its North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally to fight terrorism.

"The US condemns in the strongest terms today's terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey," Ned Price, spokesman for the White House national Security Council, said in a statement.

At least 10 people, including nine German tourists, have been killed and 15 others wounded in the explosion that hit Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet Square on Tuesday. Turkey blamed the attack on the terror group Islamic State.

Price called the bombing a "heinous attack", adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who have been killed and with those injured."

"We stand together with Turkey, a NATO ally, a strong partner, and a valued member of the counter-ISIL colation, in the face of this attack and pledge our ongoing cooperation and support in the fight against terrorism," said Price, using an acronym for IS.

John Kirby, spokesman for the US State Department, also strongly condemned the suicide bomb attack in Istanbul, while expressing deepest condolences to the families of the killed.

"The US reaffirms our strong commitment to work with Turkey, a NATO ally and valued member of the Counter-ISIL coalition, to combat the shared threat of terrorism," Kirby said in a statement.

IANS