02 May 2024 , 17:36
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Brits have been advised against "all but essential travel" to parts of Turkey, in an update from the Foreign Office.
There are three areas that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office lists as places to avoid at all costs due to a "heightened risk of terrorism". These include the Sirnak city, Hakkari Province as well as anywhere along the border of Turkey and Syria. The FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions.
The government department regularly updates its advice for travel to any of 226 nations and territories in a bid to help people make informed decisions and stay safe, and the FCDO issued a new alert to anyone with plans to visit Turkey. It issued advice against "all but essential travel" to the specific areas in the country. A spokesperson added: "The FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism".
The Foreign Office issued a map outlining areas of Turkey where travel should be avoidedA more detailed overview of terror threats in Turkey have been published on the government website were it also advises people to keep well informed of goings on. It reads: "Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities."
Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreigners, such as public buildings, places of worship, airports and large public gatherings (such as major events, public holidays, religious occasions). There have been multiple attacks in the country since 2022. Seven lives have been lost following incidents in central Istanbul, Sariyer and, more recently, on the Çağlayan courthouse.
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The guidance added: "Extremist groups based in Syria, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups, have the capacity to carry out attacks in neighbouring countries, including Turkey. Daesh has previously targeted border crossings and nearby locations on the Syrian side of the border."