The United States of America has closed its embassy in Ankara, the Turkish capital city. This was after an armed man approached the embassy and fired shots, sparking intense security concerns even as security forces tried to unravel a murder nearby.
There have been no reported injuries and the individual is in police custody.
The incident happened hours after the Russian ambassador to Turkey was killed at an arts gallery close to the American embassy.
Ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot point blank by an off-duty Turkish anti-riot policeman while speaking at an art gallery in Ankara. The gunman was eventually killed by Turkish forces.
The U.S announced the closure of their embassy in Ankara through a statement issued on Tuesday.
“Due to this incident, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, and the U.S. Consulate in Adana will be closed for normal operations on Tuesday,’’ the statement said.
The U.S. Mission also reminded U.S. citizens to review personal security plans, ensure communication connectivity and maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance personal security.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the heinous attack on Ambassador Karlov,’’ U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass tweeted on Monday.
The Arts and Culture Centre of the municipality of Ankara’s Cankaya district, where the Russia Ambassador was shot dead on Monday, was only 50 metres to the U.S. Embassy.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Consulate in the southern Turkish city of Adana informed U.S. citizens that general demonstrations are expected to take place between Ataturk Park and Adana’s Central Train Station on Tuesday afternoon. The participants were expected to demonstrate against recent violent terrorist attacks throughout the country and against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Reports say previous demonstrations in other cities also included anti-American messages; even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.