The US Department of State on Wednesday advised American citizens and residents to “reconsider travel to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions” while warning them not to travel to Turkish provinces near the Syrian and Iraqi borders due to an increased risk.
“Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Turkey. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Terrorists have also previously targeted Western tourists and expatriates for kidnapping and assassination,” the warning said.
US-Turkish dual citizen Serkan Gölge, a former NASA scientist, and local US mission employees have been jailed on terrorism charges in Turkey.
The State Department travel advisory also classified areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders as “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”
“Do not travel near the Turkey/Syria and Turkey/Iraq borders due to the continued threat of civil war and attacks by terrorist groups. Terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, ambushes, car bomb detonations, and improvised explosive devices, as well as kidnappings for ransom, shootings, roadblocks, and violent demonstrations have occurred in these areas.”