US embassy in Turkey warns of ‘terrorist’ threat and kidnappings | Al Jazeera

The American embassy in Turkey says it has received credible reports of potential “terrorist attacks and kidnappings” against American citizens and other foreign nationals in the country.

In a statement published on its website on Friday, the US embassy in Ankara said the US consulate-general in Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, was reportedly a target and other locations in Turkey were also under threat.

US citizens were advised to exercise heightened caution in areas where Americans or foreigners may gather, including large office buildings or shopping malls, 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,” the embassy said.

It also announced the temporary suspension of all citizen and visa services at its facilities in Turkey, including the US embassy in Ankara, consulate-general in Istanbul, the consulate in the southern province of Adana and the US consular agency in the western province of Izmir.

“Individuals with scheduled appointments will be notified by email with instructions on how to reschedule their appointments,” the embassy said.