Germany has temporarily closed its embassy in Ankara, reportedly because of fears of an attack.
Germany closed its embassy in Turkey on Wednesday, along with all other consular offices in Turkey, with reports
that officials feared the buildings might come under attack.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that its embassy and consular offices – including the main consulate in Istanbul –
would be closed from September 12 to September 16.
However, the ministry did not comment on the cause.
Germany’s “Bild” newspaper reported that the decision had been taken as a precaution after
the German Foreign Ministry learned that mob attacks were likely during the Eid al-Adha religious holiday.
Turks are said to be outraged by a German magazine’s depiction of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a dictator.
Public outrage in Turkey was said to be brewing over the depiction of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the
latest edition of German news magazine “Der Spiegel.”
Minarets to rockets
The Turkish government accused the weekly of giving a distorted view of the country
in its “Focus on Turkey” special edition.
Ankara accused Spiegel of prejudice and said the front page was “particularly provocative.”
In a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said the cover,
published during Eid, sought to create “a negative image not only about Turkey but also Islam.”
