Gun shots were fired at the US Embassy in Ankara around 5 a.m. on Monday morning, hitting a guard booth. No one was injured in the shooting.
Ahmed Celikten and Osman Gundes have been named by the governorate office as the sole suspects. Both have “confessed that they carried out the attack together,” it said on Monday evening.
According to the statement, Celikten was born in 1979 in Ankara. He has already been convicted of other crimes. Gundes was born in 1980 in Ankara. He has a criminal record involving drugs, car theft, and other offenses.
US Embassy Spokesman David Gainer thanked police for their "rapid response" and said no injuries had been reported, the Associated Press reported.
Four to five rounds were fired at a security booth outside Gate 6 from a moving white car.
CNN Turk reported that several rounds were fired from a vehicle at the US mission in the Turkish capital, but there were no casualties.
“We condemn the attack perpetrated against the US Embassy in Ankara this morning,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“Investigations have been started by our relevant authorities to capture the perpetrators and to shed light on all aspects of the attack.”
“Measures have been increased to ensure the security of the US Embassy in Ankara, other US missions, and their personnel in our country,” it added.
The embassy is closed this week for Eid Al-Adha.
US-Turkish diplomatic relations have recently declined amid a trade war and disagreements about the house arrest of American Pastor Andrew Brunson by the Turkish judiciary, and the US-led anti-ISIS coalition's continued support for the mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against ISIS.
Four to five rounds were fired at a security booth outside Gate 6 from a moving white car.
CNN Turk reported that several rounds were fired from a vehicle at the US mission in the Turkish capital, but there were no casualties.
“We condemn the attack perpetrated against the US Embassy in Ankara this morning,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“Investigations have been started by our relevant authorities to capture the perpetrators and to shed light on all aspects of the attack.”
“Measures have been increased to ensure the security of the US Embassy in Ankara, other US missions, and their personnel in our country,” it added.
Haberturk TV showed police inspecting a shattered window of a guard booth near one of the entrances. It also reported empty ammunition cartridges were found near the scene.
The embassy is closed this week for Eid Al-Adha.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued an Eid message calling it a time of "reflection and prayer." It was posted on the embassy's website and subtitled into Turkish on Monday morning.
He noted the charity that Muslims provide during the holiday.
"These acts of kindness serve as an example to all of us," said Pompeo.
US-Turkish diplomatic relations have recently declined amid a trade war and disagreements about the house arrest of American Pastor Andrew Brunson by the Turkish judiciary, and the US-led anti-ISIS coalition's continued support for the mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against ISIS.
Updated at 8:56 p.m.
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