The U.S. Consulate in Adana, Turkey, warned Americans on Monday that terrorist groups are targeting U.S.-owned hotels in the city and ordered them to exercise caution when moving around the country.
“U.S. Consulate General Adana informs U.S. citizens that it has obtained specific and credible threats of potential terrorist activity targeting U.S.-branded hotels in Adana,” the consulate said. “U.S. citizens in Adana are advised to exercise caution when patronizing these establishments.”
The press release did not specify which hotels U.S. officials believe terrorist groups are targeting. But officials said terrorists are specifically looking to attack any U.S.-affiliated targets, including people. U.S. leaders recommended Americans avoid traveling to southeastern Turkey, where Adana is located and where U.S. officials say Americans would face higher chances of kidnapping or assassination attempts. The city is about 10 miles from Incirlik Air Base, which the U.S. military uses to launch attacks against the Islamic State in Syria.
Other Turkish cities that have been subjected to terrorist attacks include Ankara, Istanbul and Gaziantep.
The announcement comes three days after the U.S. State Department issued an updated travel warning for Turkey. On Sept. 24, the agency ended the ordered departure of family members of U.S. government personnel posted to the Adana and Izmir consulates.
Since a failed coup by a disorganized insurgency of some of the military on July 15, the Turkish government has been asserting control throughout the country, arresting and firing tens of thousands of workers who government officials believe backed the coup attempt.
