Defense Secretary Ash Carter condemned a bomb attack that killed more than two dozen people and injured scores more today in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

“On behalf of the Department of Defense, I want to pass along my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of today's bombing in Ankara,” Carter said in a written statement. “My thoughts remain with those injured in this senseless tragedy, The Pentagon website reported on Thursday.

“We strongly condemn this cowardly attack, which appears to have targeted buses carrying Turkish military personnel,” he continued. “We stand with our Turkish allies in the face of this horrific act, which only strengthens our resolve to deepen our ongoing cooperation in the fight against terrorism”.

Ned Price, spokesman for the National Security Council, released a statement saying the United States condemns the attack “in the strongest terms.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who have been killed and with those injured, including members of the Turkish military,” he said. “We stand together with Turkey, a NATO ally, a strong partner, and a valued member of the counter-ISIL coalition, in the face of this attack and pledge our ongoing cooperation and support in the fight against terrorism”.

ٍخعقؤث: MENA