US orders the evacuation of familiy members of diplomats from Istanbul and to avoid traveling to Turkey

The US State Department has ordered the family members of American Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey to leave the country due to an increased risks of terrorism following Intelligence information of threats from extremist terrorist groups in Istanbul to kidnap and assassinate Westerns and US citizens.

“The Department of State made this decision based on security information indicating extremist groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack US citizens in areas of Istanbul where they reside or frequent,” “This order applies only to the US Consulate General in Istanbul, not to other US diplomatic posts in Turkey” the warning states.

While the consultae will remain open and fully operational, the US department also warned that its citizens that are already in Turkey should be careful while those outside the country should avoid traveling to the country as they could be attacked at any time.

The statement also said its citizens should avoid traveling to southeast Turkey and to “carefully consider the risks” of traveling throughout the country.