US warns its citizens in Turkey against protests over Biden's Armenian genocide recognition

The United States has warned its citizens living in Turkey against possible demonstrations over Biden's recognition of the Armenian genocide. "U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the areas around U.S. government buildings," read the statement on the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey.

Sunday April 25 2021 04:30 pm

Supporters of Turkey counter-protest members of the Armenian diaspora as they rally in front of the Turkish Embassy after U.S. President Joe Biden recognized that the 1915 massacres of Armenians constituted genocide in Washington.

Duvar English

The United States has warned its citizens living in Turkey against possible demonstrations or protests that may occur following U.S. President Joe Biden's recognition of the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

"U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the areas around U.S. government buildings, and exercise heightened caution in locations where Americans or foreigners may gather," read the statement on the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates Turkey.

The U.S. Embassy in Turkey said its missions in the country would be closed on April 26 and 27 for visa services.

U.S. citizens in Turkey were also advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant, avoid crowds, keep a low profile, be aware of their surroundings, stay alert in locations frequented by foreigners and monitor local media for updates.

The Turkish government was infuriated by Biden's Armenian genocide recognition and Ankara summoned the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara to convey its "strong reaction."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said deputy foreign minister Sedat Önal had told U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield that the statement had no legal basis and that Ankara "rejected it, found it unacceptable and condemned in the strongest terms." It said the statement had caused a "wound in ties that will be hard to repair."