Turkey remands four Daesh suspects plotting terror attack on US embassy

Iraqi nationals Sohaib Qusay Taga A., Fernas Huseyin A., Omar Shıhab Ahmed A. and Azhar Abdulkadhım Salman Al B., who were allegedly preparing for a terror attack targeting the U.S. embassy in Ankara, were taken into custody in Turkey’s Samsun as a result of operations conducted by the National Intelligence Agency (MİT) on Monday.

Sohaıb Qusay Taga A., and Fernas Huseyin A. were captured at a control point on the Samsun-Ankara highway, followed by the capture of Omar Shıhab Ahmed A. and Azhar Abdulkadhım Salman Al B., who reportedly are connected to them.

Prosecutors in Turkey’s capital Ankara issued arrest warrants on Monday for 20 suspects as part of a probe into the terrorist group Daesh. In raids across the city, counterterrorist units apprehended at least 12 of the wanted suspects.

A statement released by the U.S. embassy in Ankara said it would be closed to the public on Monday due to a security threat and that only emergency services will be provided.

The embassy advised U.S. citizens in Turkey to avoid large crowds and the embassy building, and to be aware of their own security when visiting popular tourist sites and crowded places. It did not specify what the security threat was that prompted the closure.

Additional security measures were taken after intelligence from U.S. sources suggested there might be an attack targeting the U.S. embassy or places U.S. citizens were staying, the Ankara governor's office said in a statement.

Visa interviews and other routine services would be cancelled on Monday, the embassy said, adding that it would make an announcement when it was ready to reopen.

In 2015 and 2016, several terror attacks occurred in the Turkish capital by orchestrated by the PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorist groups, claiming innocent lives and injuring many others. There were no incidents in the capital last year.