The US embassy in Turkey warned Americans on Monday of possible attacks against churches, synagogues, and diplomatic missions in İstanbul, marking its second such notice in four days, following Quran-burning incidents in Europe, Reuters reported.
In an updated security alert, the US embassy said “possible imminent retaliatory attacks by terrorists” could take place in areas frequented by Westerners, especially the city’s Beyoğlu, Galata, Taksim, and İstiklal neighborhoods.
Turkish authorities are investigating the matter, it added.
On Friday, several embassies in Ankara including those of the United States, Germany, France and Italy issued security alerts over possible retaliatory attacks against places of worship, following separate incidents in which the Muslim holy book, the Quran, was burned in Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark.
On Saturday, Turkey warned its citizens against “possible Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks” in the United States and Europe.