ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States Pentagon and State Department ordered families of American diplomats and military personnel stationed in southeastern Turkey to return to the US due to security concerns.
The US military's European Command issued a statement which said that the order "allows for the deliberate, safe return of family members from these areas due to continued security concerns in the region."
"We understand this is disruptive to our military families, but we must keep them safe and ensure the combat effectiveness of our forces to support our strong ally Turkey in the fight against terrorism," read the statement.
Families of Americans working in the US consulate in Turkey's southeastern Adana province and the large airbase at Incirlik are all due to return home. The "ordered departure" will see the US government fund their return home.
The State Department gave the order for families of diplomats to return while the Pentagon gave the order for families of military personnel to return.
Southeastern Turkey has suffered violence and instability in recent months following the re-ignition of the war between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Islamic State (ISIS) are also believed to be responsible for bomb attacks across Turkey in recent months.
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