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U.S. embassy in Ankara says to close mission in Turkey Tuesday

Xinhua, December 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. Embassy in Ankara issued a statement early Tuesday saying that U.S. mission to Turkey will be closed Tuesday.

According to the statement, an individual approached the U.S. Embassy Ankara main gate and discharged a firearm. There have been no reported injuries and the individual is in police custody.

"Due to this incident, The U.S Embassy in Ankara, the U.S Consulate General in Istanbul, and the U.S. Consulate in Adana will be closed for normal operations on Tuesday," the statement said.

The U.S. Mission also reminds U.S. citizens to review personal security plans, ensure communication connectivity and maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance personal security.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the heinous attack on Ambassador Karlov tonight," U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass twitted on late Monday.

The Arts and Culture Center of the municipality of Ankara's Cankaya district, where the Russia Ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot dead on late Monday, was only 50 meters to the U.S. Embassy.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Consulate in Adana informs U.S. citizens that general demonstrations are expected to take place between Ataturk Park and Adana's Central Train Station on Tuesday afternoon, December 20, 2016.

The participants are expected to demonstrate against recent violent terrorist attacks throughout the country and against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Previous such demonstrations in other cities also included anti-American messages.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Endit