Presidential Spokesperson Kalın: Attack on US Embassy is Attempt to Create Chaos
Click to read the article in Turkish
Unidentified person or persons launched an armed attack on the US Embassy building in the capital city of Ankara today (August 20).
One of the bullets hit the window of the security cabin. The embassy was closed due to the Sacrifice Feast to be celebrated from August 21 to August 24. No one was killed or wounded in the attack.
At around 5 a.m. today, unidentified person or persons opened fire in the direction of the US Embassy in Ankara from a vehicle en route on Atatürk Boulevard. While one of the bullets hit the window of the security cabin, the car left the scene immediately after the incident.
The police officers, who came to the scene after the incident, identified the license plate of the vehicle and set out to catch the suspect or suspects.
Empty cases of bullets were collected
As reported by CNN Türk, the armed attack took place in front of the door no. 6 of the US Embassy. It was also reported that the fire was opened from a white automobile and around 4-5 gunshots were heard during the incident.
While the vehicle escaped in the direction of Cinnah Street, the police forces started searching for the suspect or suspects and collected the empty bullet cases in the scene.
Çelik: Embassies are under the guarantee of our state
The first statement from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) about the incident came from its Spokesperson Ömer Çelik.
Çelik said, "The armed attack against the US Embassy is an open provocation. The embassies are under the guarantee of our state."
İbrahim Kalın: An attempt to create chaos
Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın referred to the armed attack as "an attempt to create chaos":
"We condemn the attack carried out against the US Embassy. It is openly an attempt to create chaos. Turkey is a secure country and all foreign missions are under the guarantee of laws. The incident is being investigated and will be brought to light in a short time."
Governorship of Ankara: Main entrance was targeted
The Ankara Governorship also made a statement on its website.
In the statement, it was stated that "six gunshots were taken at the main entrance of the US Embassy" and "three of the bullets hit the iron gate and a window of the embassy."
Statement by the US Embassy
The US Embassy Spokesperson David Gainer also made a statement.
Gainer said, "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. We thank the Turkish police for their rapid response." (TP/SD)