Nationalist leader fumes at US for security warnings on Turkey

Turkey's nationalist opposition leader has severely rebuked the United States and in particular the U.S. embassy in Ankara for "escalating fears" by releasing security warnings after terrorist attacks in Turkey, while questioning the warnings' timing. 

"While Turkey is fighting terrorism, the U.S. confusing minds, blurring brains and escalating fears through its embassy will not be considered as innocent and ordinary. The U.S. embassy's warning its citizens not to travel to our 19 provinces, by listing their names one by one, will not be assumed as legitimate and friendly in any way," Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said in a written statement released on April 3.

As of April 1, the U.S. embassy in Ankara posted a travel restriction on its website over security concerns in several cities, including ?zmir and Mu?la by the Aegean Sea, along with others in the east and southeast.

"The U.S. Embassy in Ankara reminds U.S. citizens that due to the security situation in southeast Turkey, U.S. government personnel in Turkey remain subject to travel restrictions in the following provinces: Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, ?anl?urfa, ??rnak, Diyarbak?r Van, Siirt, Mu?, Mardin, Batman, Bingol, Tunceli, Hakkari, Bitlis, Elaz??, Adana, ?zmir, and Mu?la. U.S. citizens are also reminded to avoid areas in close proximity to the Syrian border," the embassy said in its message "Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Security Posture."

In mid-March, the embassy warned its citizens over upcoming Nevruz celebrations in the country, marked on March 21, citing increasing terrorist attacks and threats in Turkey, while also updating its travel warning.

"It is suspicious and rather noteworthy that this country has assumed a hostile...