The international community has condemned a car bomb attack inAnkarathat killed 28 people and wounded 61 others near the armed forces’ headquarters parliament and other government buildings. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the explosion in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Feb. 17 and extended his “heartfelt condolences” to the victims’ families. “The Secretary-General hopes the perpetrators of this terrorist attack will be swiftly brought to justice” said the statement. “The United Nations stands in solidarity with the people and the government of Turkey at this tragic time.” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and offered his “deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the Turkish people.” He said there could be no justification “for such horrific acts” and that “NATO allies stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism.” Meanwhile the White House said it condemned the attack inAnkaraand that stands in solidarity with Turkey. “We stand together with Turkey aNATOally a strong partner and a valued member of the counter-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant coalition in the face of this attack” said Ned Price a spokesman for the White House National Security Council. German ChancellorAngela Merkelalso released a statement on Feb. 17 in which she sharply condemned the “horrifying” attack. The chancellor said she was horrified by the attack inAnkaraand that her thoughts were with the families of the victims and the injured. “I’m telling the Turkish people: we as Germans are sharing your pain” the statement said. “In the battle against those responsible for these inhuman acts we are on the side of Turkey” Merkel added.