German intelligence services have received information about the preparation of terrorist attacks against its German diplomatic missions in Turkey, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday.
“German intelligence services received information on Wednesday evening that terrorist attacks against our German offices in Turkey are being prepared. So I made a decision today during the night that the German Embassy in Ankara, the German Consulate General in Istanbul and the German schools in these cities will be closed,” Steinmeier told N24 TV channel.
German Embassy in Ankara, Consulate General of Germany in Istanbul and several German schools were closed in Ankara earlier on Thursday.
“It was a necessary measure, because the protection of German citizens and the people who work and study at German offices takes priority. At the same time, it is a preventive measure, as we are using this time to improve safety at the facilities,” Steinmeier said.