Turkish Authorities Tighten Security Of US Missions After Attack On US Embassy - Ankara

The Turkish authorities have tightened security of the US Embassy in Ankara, as well as of other US missions in the country, following a shooting attack on the embassy, Turkish Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Hami Aksoy said on Monday.

ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th August, 2018) The Turkish authorities have tightened security of the US Embassy in Ankara, as well as of other US missions in the country, following a shooting attack on the embassy, Turkish Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Hami Aksoy said on Monday.

Ankara governor's press office reported that earlier in the day, unidentified assailants had fired six shots from a white car driving along Ataturk Boulevard toward the US Embassy. Three shots hit the security's facility, causing no casualties.

"Measures have been increased to ensure the security of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, other U.S. missions and their personnel in our country." Aksoy said in a published statement.

He added that an investigation set to "capture the perpetrators and to shed light on all aspects of the attack" was underway.

The incident took place amid US-Turkish relations' deterioration over US pastor Andrew Brunson arrest in Turkey for his alleged ties to the movement of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey holds responsible for orchestrating the failed military coup of 2016. The pastor was released from prison in late July and placed to house arrest.

As the tensions escalated, Washington froze the assets of two Turkish ministers, accusing them of contributing to Brunson's imprisonment and other human rights abuses in the country, and also doubled tariffs on imported Turkish steel and aluminum, which resulted in the Turkish lira falling to a historic low.