Reports: US Consulate Sketches Found in Terror Raid

Feb. 28, 2013— -- Turkish news outlets reported today that local security forces found sketches of the U.S. consulate in Istanbul along with explosives during a multi-city raid against suspected terrorists.

The private Dogan News Agency, as well as the English-language Today's Zaman, reported 11 alleged members of al Qaeda were arrested in a counter-terror operation Wednesday in Istanbul and the northwestern city of Tekirdag.

Today's Zaman said the suspects were arrested "after reportedly planning to stage terrorist attacks on targets in Istanbul, including the U.S. Consulate, a synagogue and a church." Dogan reported 25 kg of explosives were seized "along with some sketches of the U.S. General Consulate of Istanbul." Several firearms were also reportedly confiscated.

Police in Istanbul and Tekirdag declined to comment on Dogan's report to The Associated Press. A U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security official told ABC News the department was aware of the reports but declined to comment further.

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