Following warnings from its Western partners about possible terror attacks in Turkey, the Middle Eastern nation issued a warning to its citizens on Saturday against “possible Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks” in the United States and Europe.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry advised its residents in the United States and Europe to “act calmly in the face of possible xenophobic and racist attacks and attacks” and to “stay away from areas where demonstrations may intensify.”
According to the ministry, recent spikes in “anti-Islamic and racist activities” demonstrate the dangerous extent of religious intolerance and hostility in Europe.
Several embassies in Ankara, including those of the United States, Germany, France and Italy, issued security advisories for their people on Friday, warning of “potential retaliatory attacks by terrorists against places of worship.”
The event came after the recent Quran burnings in Europe. Sweden’s Foreign Ministry similarly warned its citizens on Saturday to stay away from gatherings and protests while in Turkey.
Tensions between Sweden and Turkey have risen as a result of a far-right anti-immigrant lawmaker burning a Koran last week near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Ankara has condemned similar Quran burning incidents that occurred in the Netherlands and Denmark.