U.S. warns of possible terror attacks in Turkey after Quran burning

Americans issue second warning in matter of days about 'imminent retaliatory attacks by terrorists' against churches, synagogues, and diplomatic missions; Turkey warned its citizens against 'Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks' in the U.S. and Europe
Reuters, i24NEWS|
The U.S. embassy in Turkey warned Americans on Monday of possible attacks against churches, synagogues, and diplomatic missions in Istanbul, marking its second such notice in four days, following Quran-burning incidents in Europe.
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  • In an updated security alert, the U.S. embassy said "possible imminent retaliatory attacks by terrorists" could take place in areas frequented by Westerners, especially the city's Beyoglu, Galata, Taksim, and Istiklal neighborhoods.
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    שוטרים מחוץ ל קונסוליה של שבדיה ב איסטנבול טורקיה
    שוטרים מחוץ ל קונסוליה של שבדיה ב איסטנבול טורקיה
    Police officers outside the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
    (Photo: EPA)
    Turkish authorities are investigating the matter, it added.
    On Friday, several embassies in Ankara including those of the United States, Germany, France and Italy issued security alerts over possible retaliatory attacks against places of worship, following separate incidents in which the Muslim holy book, the Quran, was burned in Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark.
    On Saturday, Turkey warned its citizens against "possible Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks" in the United States and Europe.
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    ספר קוראן הוצת ב הפגנה נגד טורקיה ב שטוקהולם שבדיה
    ספר קוראן הוצת ב הפגנה נגד טורקיה ב שטוקהולם שבדיה
    Quran burning in a protest in Sweden
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Earlier on Friday, Turkey summoned Denmark's ambassador in response to Copenhagen allowing a far-right extremist Rasmus Paludan to burn a Quran.
    Paludan, who is a Danish-Swedish dual national, first burnt a copy of the holy book near a mosque in Copenhagen and then a second copy outside the Turkish embassy. He held a similar protest in Stockholm, which led to Turkey postponing the planned NATO accession talks with Sweden and Finland over their membership bid in the U.S.-led alliance.

    i24NEWS contributed to this article
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