Posted by Jack
(CNN) — The US government has ordered all civilian family members of its Istanbul consulate staff to leave Turkey because of increasing threats from terrorist organizations, according to a travel warning issued Saturday by the US State Department.
“The Department of State made this decision based on security information indicating extremist groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack US citizens in areas of Istanbul where they reside or frequent,” the warning said.
This is an unprecedented action since Turkey became a republic under Ataturk and it comes only after repeated warnings to leave. This is further proof of the deteriorating stability within Turkey under newly elected President Erdoğan, considered to be radical and not very friendly towards Western nations. He wants to impose more Islamic law and the military is resisting, saying they are bound by the Constitution to be a secular government.
Note: Erdogan will be the 12th President of Turkey since 2014. Presidents normally serve a 5 year term.