US condemns attack on Istanbul airport

The White House condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the terror attack at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul that killed at least 36 people.

"Ataturk International Airport, like Brussels airport which was attacked earlier this year, is a symbol of international connections and the ties that bind us together," said a White House statement.

It said the US remained steadfast in supporting Turkey and other allies around the world.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday grounded all flights between the US and Istanbul, Turkey's most populous city, after the attack.

At least 36 people were killed and hundreds injured in two explosions that hit the airport in Istanbul on Tuesday night.

Three suicide bombers were involved in the attack. One attacker opened fire in the departures hall with an automatic rifle, before all three blew themselves up in or around the arrivals hall a floor below.

A Turkish official said most casualties were Turkish citizens.

--IANS

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