Obama offers condolences to Turkey leader over terror attacks

Protesters throw molotov cocktails towards a water cannon during clashes with police on October 10, 2015 at the gazi district in Istanbul, few hours after the deadly attack in Ankara. PHOTO: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama offered his condolences to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after terror attacks at a peace rally there killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 200.

"The president conveyed his deepest personal sympathies for those killed and injured in these heinous attacks, and affirmed that the American people stand in solidarity with the people of Turkey in the fight against terrorism and shared security challenges in the region," the White House said in a statement.

The twin bombings - the deadliest attack in modern Turkish history - were set off by suspected suicide attackers in a crowd of leftist and pro-Kurdish activists at an anti-government peace rally.

The attacks, near Ankara's main train station, left bodies of dead demonstrators strewn across the ground.

The bombings also wounded 246 people, dozens of whom were hospitalized in intensive care, according to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's office.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.