Ricciardione issues message on US embassy bombing in Ankara

After a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the US Embassy in Ankara on Friday and killed Turkish security officer, Mustafa Akarsu and injured one, US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone issued a message, saying that in honor of Akarsu, he has directed that flags at the US Embassy and consulates in Turkey would fly at half staff until sunset on Wednesday February 6 on Monday at 13:13 and that they would observe a moment of silence in Akarsu's memory, precisely 72 hours after the moment of his sacrifice. "We lost a brave Turkish member of our Mission family. We are all are profoundly grateful for the Mustafa Akarsu, a hero who stood guard every day, was skillful and dedicated to his duty, and who died defending the Turks and the Americans who work at our embassy. We will never forget his ultimate sacrifice. We salute his bravery and his service to Turkey and to Turkish-American friendship. Our hearts go out to his family," Ricciardone noted, adding, "The U.S. and Turkey have suffered from terrorism both separately and together.  Such incidents only reinforce our shared will to defeat terrorists and to strengthen the rule of law which they aim to undermine. We will never yield to terror, and together we will prevail."