Amid a period of tense relations between Ankara and Washington, several gunshots were fired on Monday from a vehicle at the US Embassy in the Turkish capital, causing no casualties, Reuters reported.
The early morning attack coincided with a deepening row between the two countries over the trial of a US pastor in Turkey.
An unidentified assailant or assailants fired six bullets at an embassy security gate from a passing white vehicle at around 5:30 a.m. local time, with three bullets hitting an iron door and a window, the Ankara Governor’s Office said in a statement.
It said the investigation was ongoing.
The embassy is closed this week for a public holiday to mark the Islamic Eid al-Adha festival.
“We can confirm a security incident took place at the US Embassy early this morning. We have no reports of any injuries and we are investigating the details,” said David Gainer, the embassy spokesperson.
“We thank the Turkish National Police for their rapid response.”
Video footage from broadcaster Habertürk showed police teams inspecting one of the entrances to the embassy, and apparent damage caused by a gunshot could be seen in one window. It said empty cartridges were found at the scene.
The US Embassy in Ankara and the consulate in İstanbul have been the targets of attacks by militants and have faced numerous security threats in the past.
“The attack is a clear provocation,” said Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Ömer Çelik, adding that all embassies in the capital are under the protection of the Turkish state, T24 reported.
“This is an explicit attempt to create chaos,” Turkish Presidency Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın tweeted.
The post Gunshots fired at US Embassy in Ankara, no casualties appeared first on Turkish Minute.
from Turkish Minute https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/08/20/gunshots-fired-at-us-embassy-in-ankara-no-casualties/
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