US Embassy 'security incident' after Russian ambassador shooting in Ankara

[MikeWB]

BREAKING NEWS: US Embassy 'security incident' after Russian ambassador shooting in Ankara

THE US Embassy in Ankara is on lockdown after a 'security incident' moments after the Russian ambassador shooting this evening.

By ZOIE O'BRIEN
PUBLISHED: 17:58, Mon, Dec 19, 2016 | UPDATED: 22:09, Mon, Dec 19, 2016

Early reports have suggested there was a second shooting in the area but these are yet to be confirmed.

The US state department for travel has advised all US citizens near the area to avoid it until further notice.

Officials have described the closure as being due to an "ongoing security incident".

It comes after the Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot dead at an art gallert in Ankara, Turkey.

The embassy compound is approximately 2.5 miles away from the art gallery where Andrey Karlov was shot and killed.

On their official account they tweeted: "Ankara, #Turkey - ongoing security incident near US Embassy. 

"All US citizens should avoid area near Embassy compound until further notice."

Andrei Karlov died after being shot five times in the back during a speech at an art gallery.

He was attacked by a gunman shouting 'Allahu Akbar' who has been identified as a Turkish policeman.

Policeman Mevlüt Mert Altintaş aged 22 has been named as the killer.


There is currently a news blackout in Turkey according to Government rules in the aftermath of a serious attack.

Russia has called the killing a "terror attack".

Journalists are getting news out of the country with many suggesting events unfolding remain unclear.

Around the embassy it is still unknown if the lockdown is related to slaughter of the ambassador.

The young police officer who went on the rampage is now reported to have been killed after the art gallery shooting.

The State Department said in a warning to Americans they "should avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country".

US citizens have been warned against travel for Turkey since October 29, alerting  of "increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey".

Reports of shooting near US Embassy Ankara, #Turkey- US citizens advised to avoid Embassy area until further notice.

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) December 19, 2016

The attack is the latest in a string of incidents to rock relations between Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's and Vladimir Putin's countries – both of which have vital interests in war-torn Syria.

A string of sanctions from the Kremlin followed as tensions grew between the nations.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/745297/US-Embassy-security-incident-attack-Ankara-Russian-ambassador-shooting