US Embassy Issues Security Alert in Turkey
The US embassy in Turkey issued a security alert on Friday, saying it had received reports of a possible attack on Americans and other foreigners, and temporarily suspended consular services.
"The US Mission in Turkey has received credible reports of possible terrorist attacks and kidnappings against US citizens and foreigners in Istanbul, including the US Consulate General, as well as potentially other places in Turkey," the embassy said in a statement.
The embassy in the Turkish capital urged U.S. citizens to exercise caution, even when in large office buildings, shopping malls and other places where foreigners gather.
Furthermore, the American diplomatic mission published that the services of citizens and visas will be temporarily suspended in all the US consulates in Turkey.
A spokesman of the US embassy said: "The US mission to Turkey issued this notice as a result of our continuous evaluation of the security conditions. The statement speaks for itself. We are grateful for the support of the Turkish government to guarantee the safety of the Americans living in Turkey as well as the Turkish citizens visiting our embassy and consulates".
A few weeks ago, Ankara's purchase of Russian arms set off alarm bells in NATO. The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, travelled to the Turkish capital to show his concern about the consequences of the acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 anti-missile system.
"It is a national decision that is up to Turkey, but the S-400 system cannot be integrated into NATO's missile defence system. I urge Turkey to work with the allies to find an alternative solution," Stoltenberg said in the presence of the Turkish minister.
Turkey has been arguing with the United States for years over access to its Patriot missile system, and Washington has resisted Turkish demands for a transfer of technology.
The USA recently proposed to provide the Patriot to Turkey as part of a solution to the S-400 impasse. Trump's idea is that the Ottoman country should give up these anti-missile missiles in exchange for the US Patriot. Ankara has refused to accept the proposal by insisting that the threat of US sanctions would not change.
So far, the White House has resisted growing pressure from Congress to demand retribution from Turkey, which hosts key NATO facilities. Erdogan, for his part, has approached French President Emmanuel Macron to also acquire European-made air defence systems, known as Eurosam SAMP/T.
