Ankara bombing: Erdogan vows to bring terrorism 'to its knees'

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged a harsh response against those who carried out the Ankara bombing, which claimed the lives of at least 34 people and left 125 others injured. The Turkish leader also vowed to bring terrorism "to its knees".

Urging for national unity in the wake of the extremist attack on 13 March, Erdogan said Turkey will use its full might to prevent any future attack. His statement read: "These attacks, which threaten our country's integrity and our nation's unity and solidarity, do not weaken our resolve in fighting terrorism but bolster our determination."

"Our people should not worry, the struggle against terrorism will for certain end in success and terrorism will be brought to its knees." The suicide car bomb attack ripped through the administrative heart of the Turkish capital. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but government authorities suspectthe banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). It was the second major attack in Ankara in the span of a month.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said: "Tonight, civilian citizens waiting at a bus stop were targeted in a terrorist attack with a bomb-laden car. Significant findings have been made, but the organisation behind this will be announced once the investigation has been finalised."

Officials are expected to conclude the preliminary investigation on 14 March. The attack has been roundly condemned by global leaders. While UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he is "appalled" by the attack, the US said: "We reaffirm our strong partnership with our Nato ally Turkey in combating the shared threat of terrorism."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "Vladimir Putin condemns the brutal terrorist attack in Ankara.The Russian president mourns together with all the Turkish people, who suffered another terrorist attack, in connection with numerous human victims."

On 17 February, a similar car bomb attack rocked the heart of Ankara killing 28 people and injuring dozens of others. The bombing was later claimed by a splinter Kurdish military group, Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK).

Turkey is getting more exasperated by the advance of Kurdish rebels, who Ankara considers terrorists, by capitalising on the conflict in neighbouring Syria.