Kılıçdaroğlu, who was in the northern province of Rize for the three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday, said: “We condemn those who are responsible for causing such sadness during Eid al-Fitr, when people should be embracing each other and making peace. I have always condemned terrorism and we will always condemn terrorism. [Different] identities or opinions aside, what is the point of such violence if it's possible for people to live in peace? … One cannot do such things if he or she is a real human being.”

Kılıçdaroğlu also expressed the wish to act against terrorism in a unified way. “The CHP's general secretary and a CHP deputy are now in Gaziantep. The local governor has informed us about the incident. I hope that the perpetrators will soon be found and judged,” he added.

At least nine people were killed and 60 injured in a huge blast in the southern Turkish province of Gaziantep on Monday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast Monday night in Gaziantep, near the Syrian border. However, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) did release a statement denying involvement.