Turkish government issues travel advisory amid ongoing Trump protests

ANKARA, Turkey, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Turkey is warning its citizens traveling to the United States to steer clear of areas where there are protests against the Donald Trump presidency.

While the advisory did not specifically call Trump by name, it said the unrest in the United States began after the Nov 8 presidential election, CNN reported.

"Sometimes the protests turn violent and criminal while protesters (are) detained by security forces," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its advisory, issued Saturday. "Racists and xenophobic incidents increased in the USA."

Large and small protests have taken place over the past four days in major cities across the nation over Trump's election, including in Chicago, New York City, Seattle, Miami and Philadelphia. A shooting in Portland led to an arrest Saturday and seven were arrested in Las Vegas during a large anti-Trump protest there.

Indianapolis Metro Police said seven people were arrested there and two officers injured by protesters throwing rocks as officers tried to keep the peace, Fox News reported.

About 500 anti-Trump protesters had gathered on the south lawn of Indiana's Statehouse Saturday night.

The Ankara government also warned Turkish citizens that they may encounter "racist" outbursts in the United States prompted by comments Trump made during the campaign critical of immigrants, Voice of America reported.

The Foreign Ministry statement urged Turks visiting the U.S. "to be vigilant to the risks linked to current events and social tensions."

The advisory comes from a nation that, itself, has been the subject of frequent travel warnings from other nations in recent months.

The U.S. Department of State, on Oct. 29, warned U.S. citizens of increased terror threats throughout Turkey. "U.S. citizens should avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country," it stated. It said it issued the warning due to security information indicating extremist groups were aggressively attacking U.S. citizens.