"I was horrified by the attack against vehicles of the Turkish armed forces in Ankara", the Chancellor declared on Wednesday evening (17 February), shortly after news of the attack, which killed at least 28 people and injured more than 60, was released. "I’m telling the Turkish people: we as Germans are sharing your pain", said Angela Merkel. She condemned the terrorist act and stressed: "In the battle against those responsible for these inhuman acts we are on the side of Turkey."

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also voiced his dismay, speaking of a "further cowardly act of violence in Turkey".

Another deadly attack on Turkish military
On Thursday morning another attack war perpetrated against Turkish soldiers. It was aimed at a military convoy in the town of Lice, in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. According to official Turkish security reports at least six people were killed in the attack.