Georgia reacts to deadly Ankara terrorist act

Georgia is offering its condolences to the people of Turkey following a deadly car bombing in capital Ankara, which claimed the lives of at least 28 and injuring more than 60 others.

Turkish officials said a vehicle full of explosives was detonated next to military buses near the armed forces' headquarters, parliament and other government buildings in Ankara early yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Today Georgia’s top leaders shared their sympathies with Georgia’s neighbouring nation and condemned all acts of terrorism.

I express my deepest sorrow over the terrorist act in Ankara and offer my sincere condolences to our ally Turkey, its government and people, and to all for whom terrorism is a crime against humanity,” said Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

He also believed the civilized world would defeat "the biggest evil” by working together to overcome terrorism.

Georgia's PM twitted.

My deepest condolences to Turkish people. We strongly condemn the act of terror in #Ankara and stand with #Turkey

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) February 17, 2016

Georgia’s President offered words of support to Turkey in the wake of the deadly bombing.

Georgia condemns any form of terrorism and will fight against international threats together with our foreign partners. I offer my deepest condolences to the Turkish people,” said President Giorgi Margvelashvili.

Georgia’s Foreign Ministry released a special statement today that said Georgia and all its people stood by Turkey in this hard time.

According to latest information by Turkish officials, at least 28 people were killed in the attack while a further 61 were injured, including soldiers and civilians.

Turkish officials assessed the incident as a terrorist attack, while the country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country would not hesitate to exercise its right to self defence.

Shortly after the attack president Erdogan said: "Our determination to retaliate to these attacks, in Turkey and abroad, which aim at our unity, togetherness and future, is increasing with such actions."

No one has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack however security sources have blamed two sources; Islamic State (IS) and militants from the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), reported Reuters.

Meanwhile less than 24 hours after the Ankara attack, an explosion targeted a Turkish cultural center in Sweden.

Reuters said the blast "severely damaged part of a building that housed a Turkish cultural association” in Stockholm but no one died or was injured, stated police.

Turkey has been hit by series of attacks in recent months.

The blast in Ankara came as Turkey increased its involvement in the conflict in neighbouring Syria, which has become a global hot-spot with domestic and international forces engaged in conflict.