The terrorist attack on Istanbul’s main airport on Tuesday which killed 41 people shows that some nefarious forces are at work and even determined to destabilise Turkey. The attack is the deadliest and most high-profile in a series of killings and explosions that have shaken the country this year. By choosing the busiest airport in the country, and one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world, the perpetrators of the crime sought to inflict maximum damage. An airport is a symbol in the same way as it is a gateway – a symbol of the country’s progress, heritage, values and a fortress of security and by targeting it, the attackers were sending a message that they could strike at any target. But this is a plot that the Turkish government and its citizens must defeat. And the world needs to stand by Ankara in this hour of crisis.
Turkey has been a pillar of peace and stability in a region riven by instability and chaos. It’s also a major power, a bridge between our region and the West, which has been acting as a stabilizing, positive force on the global stage with its bold policies and diplomatic interventions. Ankara must continue to perform this role and any attempt to weaken the country should not be tolerated because that would plunge our region into the black depth of an abyss.
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has blamed the Islamic State for the late-night attack and called on the international community to help the country in its fight against terrorism. The IS is under attack and on the retreat in its strongholds in Iraq, Syria and other Arab countries and the terrorist group is likely to unleash more attacks to avenge the setbacks it has suffered.
There is no doubt that the Istanbul attack will deal a huge blow to Turkey’s tourism, which is a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product. Bomb blasts and violence have already crippled the industry, and Tuesday’s attack is likely to scare away more tourists.
Interestingly, the attack comes at a time when Ankara is scoring on the diplomatic front by extending a hand of friendship to other countries. This week, Ankara cemented a deal to restart diplomatic relations with Israel and offered an olive branch to Russia, relations with whom were strained after Turkey downed a Russian jet near the Syrian border.
Ankara must work hard to prevent another attack on its soil. It must adopt a zero tolerance policy and beef up security across the country. Turks must stand united in this time of crisis to defeat the enemy.
The terrorist attack on Istanbul’s main airport on Tuesday which killed 41 people shows that some nefarious forces are at work and even determined to destabilise Turkey. The attack is the deadliest and most high-profile in a series of killings and explosions that have shaken the country this year. By choosing the busiest airport in the country, and one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world, the perpetrators of the crime sought to inflict maximum damage. An airport is a symbol in the same way as it is a gateway – a symbol of the country’s progress, heritage, values and a fortress of security and by targeting it, the attackers were sending a message that they could strike at any target. But this is a plot that the Turkish government and its citizens must defeat. And the world needs to stand by Ankara in this hour of crisis.
Turkey has been a pillar of peace and stability in a region riven by instability and chaos. It’s also a major power, a bridge between our region and the West, which has been acting as a stabilizing, positive force on the global stage with its bold policies and diplomatic interventions. Ankara must continue to perform this role and any attempt to weaken the country should not be tolerated because that would plunge our region into the black depth of an abyss.
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has blamed the Islamic State for the late-night attack and called on the international community to help the country in its fight against terrorism. The IS is under attack and on the retreat in its strongholds in Iraq, Syria and other Arab countries and the terrorist group is likely to unleash more attacks to avenge the setbacks it has suffered.
There is no doubt that the Istanbul attack will deal a huge blow to Turkey’s tourism, which is a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product. Bomb blasts and violence have already crippled the industry, and Tuesday’s attack is likely to scare away more tourists.
Interestingly, the attack comes at a time when Ankara is scoring on the diplomatic front by extending a hand of friendship to other countries. This week, Ankara cemented a deal to restart diplomatic relations with Israel and offered an olive branch to Russia, relations with whom were strained after Turkey downed a Russian jet near the Syrian border.
Ankara must work hard to prevent another attack on its soil. It must adopt a zero tolerance policy and beef up security across the country. Turks must stand united in this time of crisis to defeat the enemy.
