On 23 October 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara issued a Security Alert, regarding credible threats against U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in Turkey, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Mission in Turkey has received credible reports of potential terrorist attacks and kidnappings against U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in Istanbul, including against the U.S. Consulate General, as well as potentially other locations in Turkey. U.S. citizens are advised to exercise heightened caution in locations where Americans or foreigners may gather, including large office buildings or shopping malls.

“All American Citizen and visa services at U.S. Mission in Turkey’s facilities (including U.S. Embassy-Ankara, U.S. Consulate General-Istanbul, U.S. Consulate-Adana, and the U.S. Consular Agency-Izmir) will be temporarily suspended. Individuals with scheduled appointments will be notified by email with instructions on how to reschedule their appointments.”