State Dept., White House decry Istanbul bombings

The White House and State Department both decried the terrorists who bombed the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, late Tuesday.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today's heinous terrorist attack at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport in Turkey, which appears to have killed and injured dozens," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. "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."

A State spokesman said the U.S. stands in solidarity with its NATO ally and will work with Turkey to defeat the threat terrorism has increasingly posed around the world in recent years.

"Sadly, this murderous attack is only the latest in a series of attacks aimed at killing and maiming innocent civilians," State Deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement released late Tuesday. "Such attacks will only reinforce our determination to work with the Government of Turkey to counter the scourge of terrorism and support all those across the region who are working to promote peace and reconciliation."

At least 30 people were killed and upward of 140 wounded in two explosions that rocked Istanbul's international airport. Government officials had initially reported 50 people were killed in the attacks, but redacted that estimate early Wednesday morning.