The US Mission in Turkey said on Friday that it has received credible reports of potential terrorist attacks and kidnappings against foreign nationals in İstanbul, advising US citizens to exercise heightened caution in locations where Americans or foreigners may gather.
The alert, published on the embassy website, specified six actions the government is urging US citizens to take. “Exercise caution and remain vigilant. Avoid crowds. Keep a low profile. Be aware of your surroundings. Stay alert in locations frequented by foreigners. Monitor local media for updates,” it said.
“The US Mission in Turkey has received credible reports of potential terrorist attacks and kidnappings against US citizens and foreign nationals in Istanbul, including against the US Consulate General, as well as potentially other locations in Turkey. US citizens are advised to exercise heightened caution in locations where Americans or foreigners may gather, including large office buildings or shopping malls,” the alert read.
“All American Citizen and visa services at US Mission in Turkey’s facilities (including U.S. Embassy-Ankara, U.S. Consulate General-Istanbul, U.S. Consulate-Adana, and the US Consular Agency-Izmir) will be temporarily suspended. Individuals with scheduled appointments will be notified by email with instructions on how to reschedule their appointments.”