Great Satan US shutters embassy, consulates in Turkey after shooting

The United States government has shuttered its embassy and consulates in Turkey, after an individual discharged a firearm outside the embassy building in the capital Ankara.

The embassy made the announcement in a security message on Tuesday, noting that the US Consulate General in Istanbul and the US Consulate in Adana would be closed for normal operations on the day.

According to the statement, the shooting took place at around 4 am, when an individual approached the embassy’s main gate and opened fire.

According to Turkish media, police “neutralized” the attacker and took him into custody after a brief shootout. No injuries were reported after the incident.

American citizens in Turkey were advised to review their security plans and practice extra vigilance until further notice.

The US Embassy was put on a lockdown on Monday, following the assassination of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey at a nearby art gallery.

Andrey Karlov was shot dead while delivering a speech on the opening of a photo exhibition dubbed “Russia in the eyes of Turks” on Monday.

The assassin has been identified as 22-year-old Mevlut Mert Altintas, who had served with the Turkish anti-riot police for around three years. Altintas was “neutralized” by Turkish police after killing the envoy.

The White House condemned the attack in a statement, calling it a “heinous” and “unacceptable” assault.

“We stand united with Russia and Turkey in our determination to confront terrorism in all its forms,” US National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said.

US President-elect Donald Trump also condemned Karlov’s murder, saying the attack violated “all rules of civilized order.”