France and the United States called on their nationals in Turkey on Friday night to show “vigilance” against the risk of attacks, in retaliation for copies of the Koran burned in Sweden and Denmark during anti-Turkish demonstrations.
“In light of the recent Koran burning incidents in Europe, the US government is warning its citizens of possible terrorist attacks against places of worship as a retaliatory measure in Turkey,” the US embassy said. in Ankara. “Terrorists could strike without warning and target places of worship frequented by Westerners,” she said.
The US representation recommends remaining “vigilant, to avoid crowds and maintain a low profile.”
“Exercise maximum vigilance”
Simultaneously, the French representation in Ankara sent a similar message by email to its nationals present in the country, referring to the US alert.
“Since the risk of a terrorist attack in Turkey remains high, as recalled by the security alert issued by the Embassy of the United States on January 27, 2023, French people residing in or passing through Turkey are urged to show the maximum vigilance, especially in meeting places. are likely to be frequented by foreign nationals, including places of worship,” he said.
This press release will be put online in the evening on the website of the Foreign Ministry and that of the French Embassy in Ankara, a diplomat said.
Diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Stockholm
Several demonstrations took place last week in Stockholm and on Friday in Copenhagen, during which copies of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, were burned by an extremist who claimed to be protesting against Turkey’s veto of Sweden’s entry into NATO.
Since May, Ankara has been blocking the extension of the Atlantic Alliance to this country, as well as to Finland, demanding from Stockholm the extradition of Kurdish refugees whom it considers “terrorists”.
These incidents have been denounced and condemned by the governments concerned and by Western capitals, particularly Washington.
But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Sweden can no longer count on Turkey’s “support” to join NATO and negotiations are officially on hold.
Source: BFM TV
