German embassy, consulate in Turkey closed over threat of possible attack

The German Federal Foreign Office announced on March 17 that the German embassy in Ankara and the German consulate in Istanbul have been closed over the threat of a possible attack as German Foreign Minister said they received very serious terror attack intelligence against German representation offices in Turkey.

"We have received very concrete intelligences over the fact that there have been preparations for terror attacks at German representation offices in Turkey. Therefore, I decided for the closure of Embassy in Ankara, Consulate in Istanbul and German schools in the two cities last night. This was a necessary precaution for the protection of German citizens and working people have priority," German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said at an urgent press meeting in Berlin.

Steinmeier also advised German citizens to closely follow travel warnings in the upcoming days.

Meanwhile, German embassy officials in Ankara told Hürriyet Daily News the move was a "one-day precaution taken due to [an] unconfirmed indication of an attack."

Accordingly, the German consulate in Istanbul and the Deutsche Schule Istanbul school have also been closed.

"The German Federal Republic Consulate is closed as precaution due to a serious warning," a note at the entrance of the consulate building read.

The Deutsche Schule Istanbul also announced the suspension of classes for one day due to security reasons.
The school management issued a message to parents and students saying the school would be closed for one day on March 17 following a warning from the German consulate in Istanbul.

In addition, Turkish police stood watch for about two hours in front of the German Consulate building in the Beyo?lu district of...