US shuts its embassy and consulates in Turkey for a day after Ankara shooting

The United States announced that its embassy in Ankara and its consulates in Istanbul and Adana would be closed for normal operations on Tuesday (20 December) after an individual approached the embassy's main gate and discharged a firearm.

Shots were fired outside the embassy at around 3.50 am local time (00.50 GMT) hours after the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey's capital.

In a statement the embassy said: "An individual approached the US Embassy Ankara main gate and discharged a firearm." The individual has not been identified yet but he allegedly fired eight shots from a shot gun. The security guards at the embassy overpowered the gun man without anyone getting hurt.

The embassy is situated just across the street from the art exhibition centre where the Russian ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot dead by an off-duty Turkish policeman on Monday.

It has asked the American citizens to have a high level of vigilance and take necessary steps to strengthen their personal security.

"The US Mission reminds US citizens to review personal security plans" and to "maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security."

The US has issued multiple warnings to its citizens about the security risks in Turkey after a wave of attacks took place that were blamed on extremists and Kurdish militants.