#NEWS #TRAVELALERT FOR TURKEY & KOSOVO

TURKEY – EXERCISE A HIGH DEGREE OF CAUTION
ANKARA AND ISTANBUL – RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL
PROVINCES OF BATMAN, BINGOL, BITLIS, GAZIANTEP, HAKKARI, HATAY, KILIS, MARDIN, SANLIURFA, SIIRT, SIRNAK, TUNCELI AND VAN – 
RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL
AREAS WITHIN 10 KILOMETRES OF THE BORDER WITH SYRIA, DIYARBAKIRDO NOT TRAVEL

Latest advice, 17 July 2016

After the attempted coup in Turkey failed, the situation is currently normalising. Localised military activity continues. You should continue to avoid unnecessary travel, large gatherings and demonstrations. Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen international airports in Istanbul, and Esenboga airport in Ankara, have resumed operations although delays are likely. Airports are very crowded. You should contact your airline or travel agent for information about your travel arrangements, including connecting flights. We recommend you confirm your travel arrangements before travelling to the airport. There is continued advice to Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey overall and to reconsider their need to travel to Istanbul and Ankara. Higher levels apply in some other parts of Turkey.

Smarttraveller Australia has advised Australians to reconsider your need to travel to Ankara and Istanbul because of the high threat of terrorist attack. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times. Monitor the media and other sources about possible new security risks.

You should continue to avoid unnecessary travel, large gatherings and demonstrations.

Terrorists maintain an interest in attacking tourist destinations in Turkey. These places include tourist sites in and around Izmir, Antalya, and nearby coastal areas, tourist locations in Istanbul, Ankara and Adana, as well as other locations in Turkey that are frequented by tourists. You should exercise heightened caution in these areas and be vigilant to your personal safety and surroundings.

The Australian Embassy in Ankara will continue to deliver essential consular and passport services. But all visitors to the Embassy will need to make an appointment in advance. To make an appointment you should call (+90 312) 459 9500.

Smarttraveller Australia has advised Australians to reconsider your need to travel to any area within 50 kilometres of Turkey’s border with Syria and not to travel within 10 kilometres of the border with Syria or to the city of Diyarbakir due to the threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping associated with the ongoing conflict in Syria. Turkish security forces have a strong presence in these border areas.

There is an increased threat of kidnapping in the regions bordering Syria. Terrorist groups operating in Syria and Iraq have demonstrated their capability and inclination to kidnap and murder westerners. These groups have the capability to extend their operations across the border into Turkey.

There has been a significant influx of refugees into Turkey from Syria and Iraq. There are currently an estimated two million refugees in Turkey. You should be aware of the potential for conflict between refugees and locals throughout Turkey and exercise particular caution at times of heightened tensions.