US closes Adana Consulate over growing fury among pro-Palestinian protesters
The U.S. has decided to close its consulate in Adana province until further notice due to the ongoing protests in Turkey against Israel's massacres in Gaza. Some of the protests took place near the U.S. consulates as well.
Duvar English
The United States Consulate in Turkey's Adana announced on Oct. 18 that it was temporarily closed due to “large demonstrations related to events in Israel and Gaza expected throughout Turkey for the next several weeks.”
Israeli forces on Oct. 17 bombed the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, killing over 500 civilians. The furry among pro-Palestinian protesters in Turkey increased dramatically after the massacre, and several large-scale demonstrations took place in different provinces.
“Any gathering, even those intended to be peaceful, could escalate and turn violent. In the event of peaceful protests near the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey, police may block the road and increase police presence,” the embassy stated.
During the protests, a number of demonstrators burned American flags, citing their concerns over the ongoing U.S. support for Israel.
Some protesters also gathered in front of the Kürecik Radar Station in eastern Malatya province. The radar station belongs to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
U.S. government personnel in Turkey have been instructed to minimize movements and avoid traveling to the Adana Consulate area.