US embassy attack: Shots fired at American building in Ankara, Turkey
SEVERAL gunshots were fired from a vehicle at the US Embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara amid escalating tense relations with Washington.
The early morning attack, which resulted in no casualties, saw an unidentified assailant or assailants fire six bullets at the embassy's security gates at around 5.30am local time (2.30am GMT).
The Ankara govenor's office said in a statement that three bullets hit an iron door and a window.
Video footage from broadcaster Haberturk showed police inspecting one of the entrances to the building and what looked like damage inflicted on a window by a gunshot could be seen.
It added empty cartridges were found at the scene.
The embassy is closed this week for a public holiday to mark the Islamic Eid al-Adha festival.
Embassy spokesman David Gainer said: "We can confirm a security incident took place at the U.S. Embassy early this morning.
"We have no reports of any injuries and we are investigating the details.
"We thank the Turkish National Police for their rapid response."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman condemned the attack and labelled it a "clear attemot to create chaos".
Ibarahim Kalin added: "Turkey is a safe country and all foreign missions are under the guarantee of the laws."
Tensions between the two NATO allies have been rocked amid Turkey’s detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is accused by the country of backing a coup attempt against Mr Erdogan in 2016.
Last week, the US hit back at Turkey in the latest trade war feud, condemning it for doubling tariffs on certain imported goods and calling the action “a step in the wrong direction”.
A decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubled Turkish tariffs on US imports of passenger cars to 120 percent, alcoholic drinks to 140 percent and leaf tobacco to 60 percent.
Tariffs were also doubled on goods such as cosmetics, rice and coal.
Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said the duties had been raised in response to the US administration’s “deliberate attacks on our economy”.
The US had doubled tariffs on Turkish steel to 50 percent and aluminium to 20 percent, which sent the lira tumbling to a record low of 7.24 to the dollar on Monday and rattling global stock markets.
US President Donald Trump then renewed his criticism on Turkey with a caustic tweet in which he accused Ankara of “taking advantage of the United States for many years” and hinted at further action after after the doubling of tariffs.
“They are now holding our wonderful Christian Pastor, who I must now ask to represent our Country as a great patriot hostage.