US Suspends Visa Services in Turkey Over Reports of Potential Terrorist Attacks, Embassy Says

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has temporarily halted citizen and visa services at its embassy and consulates in Turkey due to credible threats of potential violence against US citizens, the US Embassy in Ankara said in a security alert on Friday.

"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,” the advisory said. “All American Citizen and visa services at US Mission in Turkey’s facilities (including US Embassy-Ankara, US Consulate General-Istanbul, US Consulate-Adana, and the US Consular Agency-Izmir) will be temporarily suspended.”

The embassy cautioned citizens against visiting places where foreigners could gather, such as shopping malls and large office buildings. It also urged Americans to exercise caution, avoid crowds and keep a low profile in public.

Turkey has in recent years witnessed several deadly terrorist attacks, including twin car bombings in Istanbul in 2016 that killed 48 people, and a 2017 shooting at a nightclub in the same city that left 39 dead.