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Friday, March 29, 2024

Dutch government shuts diplomatic post in Istanbul over ‘possible terror threat’

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The Dutch government has temporarily closed its consulate-general in Istanbul because of a “possible terror threat” and advised its citizens to avoid the area.

The foreign ministry issued a brief statement on Wednesday announcing the closure, calling it a precautionary measure, but gave no details of the nature of the threat.

Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said in a statement: “The security of my staff and visitors… has our highest priority.”

He added: “We cannot, for obvious reasons, give further details of the nature of the threat or the information it is based on.”

The announcement came just days after a suicide bomber, identified as a militant with links to Islamic State, targeted the area.

The attack on Saturday hit Istanbul’s pedestrian Istiklal Street, which is lined with shops and cafes in an area that also has government offices and foreign missions, including the Dutch consulate-general.

Turkish security forces detained three men on Tuesday, including an Iraqi and a Syrian, suspected of planning another attack in Istanbul.

The Turkish private Dogan news agency said the trio was plotting to target the German consulate and a German school in Istanbul.

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