Ankara-February 2, 2023

Ankara has summoned the ambassadors of nine Western countries

Against the background of the suspension of a number of consular services in Istanbul due to the presence of a terrorist threat, citing the official Anadolu news agency. For his part, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu accused those countries of waging a "psychological war" on Turkey that could harm its tourism sector and"seeking to destabilize it".

A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the nine countries involved were the United States, France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy and Sweden.

A few days ago, at least six countries, including France, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands, announced in recent days the temporary suspension of the services of their consular offices in Istanbul.

Since Friday, several Western embassies have called on their citizens in Turkey to be "vigilant" in the face of the risk of attacks in retaliation for the burning of Qurans in northern European countries. The United States and France especially recommended avoiding certain tourist areas in the center of Istanbul, such as Taksim Square and the vicinity of Christian and Jewish churches.

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Thursday accused those countries of waging a "psychological war"on Turkey that could harm its tourism sector and"seeking to destabilize it". A spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) called the Western warnings "irresponsible".

Several demonstrations were held at the end of January in Stockholm, The Hague and Copenhagen, during which Qurans were burned or desecrated.

The extremist who carried out the arson attacks in the Swedish and Danish capitals says he is protesting against Turkey's blocking Sweden's accession to NATO.