3/5/2018

AMBASSADOR/FOREIGN POLICY/TURKEY: “The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey closed Monday [3-5-18] due to an unspecified security threat, though local media reports the closure came as Turkish authorities detained several suspects on charges of plotting an attack against the embassy.
According to The Anadolu Agency, the country’s state-run media outlet, the suspects are Iraqi nationals and believed to be members of the Islamic State.
Though the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey has recently been tested, Turkey says the embassy’s closure isn’t political… The Ankara governor’s office said late Sunday it increased its security due to the threat of ‘terrorist actions’ where U.S. citizens are located… The embassy will only provide emergency services, but will not renew passports, report births abroad, or any other non-emergency services and requests. These requests will not be addressed until the embassy reopens, according to a statement. Visa interviews are also canceled.”

-Ayanna Alexander, “U.S. Embassy in Turkey closes due to security threat,” Politico, Mar. 5, 2018 10:23am