Turkey has urged its citizens in Syria to return home, saying some consular services will be halted in Damascus next week.

The Foreign Ministry says in a statement Friday, March 16 that developments in Syria have brought about serious security risks for Turkish citizens and they are "strongly urged to come home."

It says consular services at the Turkish embassy in Damascus will be halted at the end of office hours on March 22. However, it says the Turkish consulate in Aleppo will remain open.

The Turkish embassy in Damascus also remains open, The Associated Press reported.