Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has expressed his condolences to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on June 7.

“Dear Mr. President, Dear brother! We were deeply saddened by the news of a blast in Istanbul in which people were killed and wounded,” said President Aliyev. “This merciless terrorist act reaffirms the importance of severely combating all manifestations of terrorism.”

“On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deep condolences to you, the bereaved families, the loved ones of those who died and the brotherly people of Turkey, and wish the injured the swiftest possible recovery,” added President Aliyev.

“May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace!” he said.