UPDATE - Turkey condemns terror attack in Afghanistan

UPDATES WITH FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

By Busra Nur Bilgic

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday offered condolences to the people and government of Afghanistan following a terror attack which claimed 34 lives and injured dozens.

“We strongly condemn this terrorist attack and wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, a speedy recovery to the wounded, and convey our condolences to the friendly government and brotherly people of Afghanistan,” Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkey is “concerned by the increase of terror attacks at a time when the election campaign period has started and peace process efforts have reached an advanced level in Afghanistan,” it added.

On Twitter, Vice President Fuat Oktay wrote: “I wish God's mercy to our brothers who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Afghanistan's Herat province. Turkey will continue to fight all forms of terrorism.”

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also tweeted: “So many souls lost, so many lives destroyed. Afghan people deserve better."

Fahrettin Altun, Turkey's presidential communications director, said in a tweet: “I wish God's mercy to our brothers who died as a result of the terrorist attack in Afghanistan's Herat province. Turkey is with Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism.”

Earlier Wednesday, a passenger bus hit a roadside bomb in Farah, western Afghanistan, bordering Iran.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Afghan police blamed the Taliban.

The attack comes just days after the start of campaigning for Afghanistan’s September presidential election and as the U.S. and the Afghan government are trying to enter peace talks with the Taliban.