Turkish military condemns SE Turkey wedding attack

By Merve Yildizalp

ANKARA

The Turkish military has strongly condemned Saturday’s attack on a wedding ceremony in Gaziantep province, which left 51 people dead.

The Turkish General Staff in a statement on Sunday said the “raving murderers”, who did not abstain from killing innocent people even on their wedding, would never be able to destroy the Turkish people's unity, solidarity and their March 18 and July 15 spirits, which refers to the Battle of Canakkale and the defeated coup attempt in Turkey.

Those who use terrorism against the country's and the nation's power and future will be punished, it said.

"Turkish Armed Forces is fighting against all terrorist organizations and all kinds of threat and dangers pertinaciously and determinedly, without harming any of our innocent citizens; [the military is] at the nation and state's service, and [stands] shoulder-to-shoulder with gendarmes, police, and guards," the statement said.

The General Staff strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Gaziantep and wished God's mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to people who were wounded in the attack, it added.