ISTANBUL: Shots were fired from a moving car at the US embassy in Turkey before dawn on Monday, an attack that came during heightened tensions between the two Nato allies.

There were no casualties and no claim of responsibility for the fleeting attack, in which three of the six bullets that were fired hit the emb­assy gate and a reinforced window.

“We can confirm a security incident took place at the US Embassy early this morning. We have no reports of any injuries and we are inv­e­stigating the details” embas­­sy spokesman David Gainer said. He thanked Turkish po­­lice for their “rapid respo­n­­se.” Turkey’s interior minister said police and intelligence units were searching for the car and suspects, stressing their motive would be established only after they are apprehended.

Suleyman Soylu specula­ted, however: “Is it a provoca­tion following recent eve­nts or is it a common crime or is it an attempt to provoke by dressing it up as a petty crime?” Turkish officials, who are locked in a trade and diplomatic dispute with the United States, condemned the shooting in Ankara.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted that it was “an attempt to create chaos.” A top official in Tur­key’s ruling Justice and Development Party said the attack was a “clear provocation” and that foreign diplomatic missions are guests of the country.

“The utmost sensitivity will be shown to ensure their security,” said the party spo­k­­esman, Omer Celik. “Tur­key is a safe country.” The US embassy was scheduled to close at midday on Monday until the end of the week for Eid, according to its website.

Tensions between the US and Turkey are high, partly because of the case of An­­drew Brunson, an American pastor who is being prosecu­ted in Turkey for alleged es­­pionage and terrorism-rela­ted offences that he denies. US President Donald Trump has called for his immediate release.

Turkey has long criticised the United States for not agr­eeing to hand over Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric accu­sed by Turkish authorities of engineering an attempted coup in 2016. The United States recently imposed economic penalties on Turkey, including tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum, that contributed to a slide in the value of the Turkish lira.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2018