Global reactions over deadly Dhaka terror attack

Condemnation and supports have poured in from many countries after the deadly terror attack at a Dhaka café that left at least 17 foreigners and five Bangladeshis, including two policemen, killed.

The overnight hostage drama, the first in Bangladesh’s history, ended on Saturday morning after an hour-long operation by army commandos. Six terrorists were killed and another was arrested.

The so-called Islamic State has reportedly claimed responsibility for the brutal attack and published photos of the gunmen on its website.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced two days of national mourning. She also appealed to Bangladeshis to keep faith in her government.

Some of the global reactions are as follows:

Japan

Seven Japanese nationals were confirmed dead. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe phoned his Bangladesh counterpart and, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, pledged to be at Bangladesh’s side in the battle against terrorism.

Earlier, in Tokyo, Abe had condemned the hostage-taking incident, calling it a challenge to the universal values that the international community shares.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo on Saturday, Abe expressed his condolences for the death of so many innocent people.

He is sending the state minister for foreign affairs to Dhaka to take stock of the situation on the ground.

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rang up Hasina and condemned the attack. He also said that India was ready to support Bangladesh in any way.One of the victims was an Indian national.

“The attack in Dhaka has pained us beyond words. I spoke to PM Sheikh Hasina & strongly condemned the despicable attack,” Modi tweeted.

“My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that those who are injured recover quickly,” he said.

“India stands firmly with our sisters & brothers of Bangladesh in this hour of grief.”

EU

Nine of the victims were from Italy which is a member of the European Union.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini issued a statement on Saturday expressing the 28-nation bloc’s ‘solidarity’ with Bangladesh.

The statement read: “Last night's terrorist attack in Dhaka, killing and wounding Bangladeshi citizens and foreign nationals, including several Europeans, is a direct challenge to our global community.

 “Terrorism is a global threat, and as the international community we have to tackle it all together.

“Our first thoughts and deepest condolences go to all the victims and injured and their families, including those law enforcement officers who bravely lost their lives while seeking to thwart this awful crime.

“In this dark hour, we stand in solidarity with the people and the government of Bangladesh, as well as with the authorities and populations of countries who have also suffered in this attack.

“I am in contact with the Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, to put the Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh at full disposal of the Italian authorities. The Delegation is ready to assist the Embassy.”

Italy

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in a statement said: “Our prayers, our thoughts and our tears unite with the teasers of the Dhaka families, particularly with the Italian family.

“They are very much in our thoughts at the moment and especially with the crisis unit of our foreign ministry.

“Each and every official notice will only be made public after the families, who have been in contact with since yesterday evening, have received official news.

“We followed the events all night, hoping that the outcome would be different.

“Facing yet another tragedy of radical Islam that continues to drown innocents in blood, in many parts of the world, I think it is time for Italy to be united, to give message of sorrow and compassion.

“Today we can cry, we can cry in solidarity and with compassion, but also we feel a great determination, of those who want to destroy the life we live every day.

“Italy has been hit, but it is not on its knees.” The Italian news agency ANSA says Italy’s football players will wear black armbands in a sign of mourning during the Euro 2016 match against Germany in Bordeaux, France on Saturday night.

US

The State Department statement read: “The United States joins the people of Bangladesh in condemning the brutal act of terrorism in Dhaka.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the twenty or more civilians slain and Bangladeshi law enforcement officials who were killed or injured responding to the attack.

“We can confirm that a U.S. citizen was also among those senselessly murdered in this attack.

“The United States supports Prime Minister Hasina in her commitment to combat violent extremism in Bangladesh.

“We remain in close contact with the Government of Bangladesh and have offered our assistance in their efforts to bring to justice those responsible for these attacks.

“Today, as always, we stand with the people of Bangladesh and in our shared efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism”.

UK and France

The UK and France also condemned the attack in separate statements.

“Terrorism is a global scourge. France is determined to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism everywhere,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire took to Twitter to express his shocks. “Utterly condemn appalling and senseless #BangladeshAttack,” he tweeted.

Germany

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “Once more conscienceless terrorists struck with sheer brutality and forced numerous human beings to die with them. I condemn this horrid attack in the strongest possible terms.”

“We mourn the victims and share the grief of their relatives. In these sad hours, my thoughts are with the people in Bangladesh as well as with our Italian, Japanese and Indian friends and all those affected by this gruesome attack.”

“The background has not yet been established fully. According to latest information, the attack appears to have been aimed at foreigners in particular who gathered in a popular restaurant in Dhaka.

“Should this be the case, it once more bears witness of the perverse logic of the terrorists, who, by means of murder and violence, try to divide entire societies and to destroy the peaceful togetherness of human beings of different origins and religions.

“The attack in Dhaka shows once more that Islamist terrorism constitutes a threat to the entire world and that the international community must oppose that terror in unity.

“Only by united and persistent commitment of the international community will we be able to drive back, gradually, the Islamist terrorism and its ideology contemptuous of life,” read the statement.

Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has condemned the terror attack and said this is “a clarion call” for the world to unite against the scourge of terrorism.

“I urge governments around the world to analyse every shred of information and share them across all intelligence agencies as terrorism today knows no boundaries, no limits but only seeks to bring mayhem and destruction to society and innocent lives,” he wrote on Saturday.

The Malysian leader said that certain parties may claim responsibility for these “despicable acts in the name of Islam, but to true Muslims, it was an utter travesty, especially in this holy month of Ramadan”.

“We, as true Muslims, must disown and unconditionally reject those who blaspheme the name of Islam. Let it be known that terrorism has no religion, terrorism has no race.”

“Terrorists are not Muslims and they have no place in the Muslim world,” he said.

Nepal think-tank

Kathmandu-based think-tank AIDIA has offered condolences to the people and government of Bangladesh for the gory terrorist attacks.

“This is a ghastly attack on the soil of one of Nepal's most trusted neighbour and an important ally and condolences go out to the bereaved families of all affected directly or indirectly by the attacks.

“In this time of uncertainty and sorrow, the people of Nepal stand in solidarity and empathy with the Bangladeshi people,” read the statement.