Shots fired at gate of US Embassy in Turkey, but no one hurt
Unknown attackers fired shots at a security booth outside the U.S. Embassy in Turkey's capital early Monday, but U.S. officials said no one was hurt. Ankara governor's office said six shots were fired from a moving white car towards the embassy compound at 5:30 am (2:30 GMT). Three of the bullets hit the gate and a window.
- World
- AFP & AP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 20 August 2018
- Modified Date: 01:33 | 20 August 2018
Gunshots were fired early Monday at the US embassy in Ankara but caused no casualties, Turkish and American officials said, amid escalating tensions between the two NATO allies.
Six shots were fired at the US embassy, the Ankara governor's office said, adding that three bullets hit the iron gate and window wall.
"There are no casualties," it said.
US embassy spokesman David Gainer confirmed to AFP that a "security incident" had taken place.
"We have no reports of any injuries and we are investigating the details. We thank the Turkish National Police for their rapid response," he said.
A bullet mark was clearly visible on a security booth at the embassy, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.
The U.S. mission is closed this week as Turkey celebrates the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Ömer Çelik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party called the incident an "open provocation".
The incident come as Ankara and Washington are locked in a bitter dispute over Turkey's detention of an American pastor on terror-related charges.
Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over the case of an imprisoned American pastor, leading the U.S. to impose sanctions, and increased tariffs sent the Turkish lira tumbling last week.
Evangelical pastor Andrew Craig Brunson —currently under house arrest after more than 1½ years in prison— is facing up to 35 years in prison if convicted of espionage and terror-related charges.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for his immediate release and threatened more sanctions. The continued detention of a Turkish-American NASA scientist and three local consular staff members adds to the tensions.
Last week, the U.S. president signed a defense spending bill that includes delaying the delivery of F-35 fighter jets pending a Pentagon report. U.S. senators have been working to block their delivery in response to Brunson's arrest and Turkey's pledge to buy Russian S-400 missile systems.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for a boycott on U.S.-made electronic products, with some citizens heeding his call and filming themselves breaking their iPhones. Turkey has also increased imports tariffs on some products.
On Friday, Turkey threatened to respond in kind if Washington imposed further sanctions, while a court rejected last week another appeal to free pastor Andrew Brunson.