US orders family members of consulate staff in Istanbul to leave Turkey

The US State Department has issued a warning asking all civilian family members of its consulate staff in Istanbul to leave Turkey due to increasing threats from terrorist organisations.

"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.

However, the State Department did not tell how many family members would be affected by the evacuation order.

The advisory said that the consulate will remain open and fully staffed and that its order does not apply to other diplomatic posts in Turkey.

The warning goes beyond the one issued on Monday that urged Americans to avoid travelling to southeast Turkey, especially urban centres near the Turkish-Syrian border, because of recent terrorist attacks, reports the CNN.

Turkey has become increasingly volatile in the past year because of terrorist attacks at home and its involvement in the Syrian civil war.

In June this year, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria was suspected of carrying out attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport that left 44 people dead, and an explosion at an August wedding in Gaziantep had killed at least 54 people.

State of emergency was imposed in Turkey in July this year owing to a failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan which led to a massive number of arrests.

Turkey's relation with the United States has strained due to its intrusion into the Syrian civil war.