Egypt strongly condemned the “terrorist bomb attack” that rocked Istanbul Tuesday, calling on the international community to join hands against “terrorism,” according to a Foreign Ministry statement.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zeid expressed his country’s condolences to the Turkish people and the families of the victims.
Much like Egypt’s statement after the October 2015 Ankara bombings that killed 102 people, Abou Zeid did not mention the government of Turkey in the condemnation statement.
Turkey has also denounced some attacks in Egypt without expressing condolences to its government.
Turkey and Egypt have downgraded diplomatic representation after the 2013 ouster of President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood group, a major ally of Ankara.
Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam also slammed the Istanbul attack, which has killed 10 thus far, saying that “extremists” only wish to lead people “out of God’s way.”
