Turkey alerts citizens to attack risks in US, Europe, on heels of Western warnings
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Iranians burn a Swedish flag during a protest in Teheran against the burning of a Quran in Stockholm by a far-right politician.
PHOTO: AFP
ANKARA - Turkey warned its citizens on Saturday against “possible Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks” in the United States and Europe after its Western allies cautioned their citizens in Turkey about possible terror attacks.
In two separate travel advisories, the Turkish foreign ministry recommended its citizens in the US and European countries “act calmly in the face of possible xenophobic and racist harassment and attacks” and to “stay away from areas where demonstrations may intensify.”
Recent increases in “anti-Islam and racist acts” reflect the dangerous dimensions of religious intolerance and hatred in Europe, the ministry said.
Several embassies in Ankara including those of the US, Germany, France and Italy on Friday released security alerts for their citizens in Turkey that flagged “possible retaliatory attacks by terrorists against places of worship.”
This followed recent Quran-burning incidents in Europe.
Sweden’s foreign ministry also advised its citizens in Turkey on Saturday to avoid crowds and demonstrations.
A far-right, anti-immigrant politician burned a Quran last week near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm during a protest, heightening tensions between Turkey and Sweden.
Similar Quran-burning acts in the Netherlands and Denmark also drew strong condemnation from Ankara. REUTERS
