On January 5th, 2017 there was a bomb attack on the justice building in Bayrakli in Izmir. On January 1st, 2017 there was a terrorist attack on the Reina nightclub in Istanbul. Both attacks resulted in deaths and injuries. According to allcitycodes, Turkey is a country located in Asia and Europe.
There have been repeated terrorist attacks in Turkey, particularly since mid-2015. It cannot be ruled out that terrorist groups will continue to try to carry out attacks, especially in the large metropolises. These can also be directed against foreigners. Travelers should pay special attention and avoid crowds and places where many foreigners regularly stay.
On July 15, 2016, there was a violent attempted coup in Turkey. The Turkish government then declared a state of emergency in all 81 provinces of Turkey under Articles 119 and 120 of the Turkish Constitution and the Emergency Law of 1983. On January 4, 2017, this was again extended by three months to April 19, 2017. With this, curfews can be imposed at short notice, searches can be carried out and general identity checks can be carried out at any time. Persons against whom the Turkish authorities are prosecuting (e.g. in the aftermath of the attempted coup or suspected links to the so-called Gülen movement) can be prohibited from leaving the country. In this context, it should be noted that regardless of the statutory right of German citizens to consular advice and assistance,
Travelers are advised to be particularly vigilant and advised to keep themselves informed about the further development of the situation via the media and these travel and safety notices and to keep in close contact with their tour operator or their airline. There may still be impairments in tourist traffic and, in particular, increased security checks at airports.
Political tensions as well as violent conflicts and terrorist attacks can be expected across the country. The “Kurdish Workers’ Party” (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization, has been carrying out attacks in southeastern Turkey since mid-2015. In August 2016, it announced nationwide attacks.
Particular caution is also advised when traveling overland.
The Turkish military began military operations in Syria on August 24, 2016 and evacuated the city of Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border.
We strongly advise against traveling to the border area between Turkey and Syria and Iraq, especially to the cities of Diyarbakır, Cizre, Silopi, Idil, Yüksekova and Nusaybin and generally to the provinces of Mardin, Şırnak and Hakkâri.
Country-specific safety information
Terrorism
Since the end of 2015, the Istanbul Ataturk International Airport and the inner cities of Istanbul and Ankara have been targets of attacks with high numbers of victims. So far, no security-relevant incidents in which foreign tourists have been harmed have been reported from the tourist destinations along the Mediterranean coast.
The security precautions are at a high level nationwide. In view of attacks by terrorist groups against non-military targets, however, a terrorist threat must be assumed in all parts of Turkey.
It is therefore generally recommended that Germans who are staying or want to travel to Turkey keep themselves informed about the security situation by means of these travel and safety information and media coverage. Gathering of people, including in public places and in front of tourist attractions, as well as staying near government and military facilities should be avoided. As a result of the failed violent coup attempt, there are said to be occasional aggressive attacks by supporters of political camps against supposedly dissenters. You are strongly advised to watch out for such escalations and to move away immediately and go to a safe place. In addition, the use of local and long-distance public transport should be restricted to what is necessary.
Germans who are staying in the country for a long-term or permanent basis are recommended to register electronically in the German list of the German diplomatic mission (under: External link, opens in a new window http://elefand.diplo.de) and use the contact details stored there keep up to date. Registration is also recommended for short-term stays in the provinces of Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman, Bitlis, Bingöl, Siirt, Muş, Tunceli, Şırnak, Hakkâri and Van. It is generally advised to follow the instructions of the Turkish security forces.
Since July 2015 there have been violent clashes between Turkish security forces and the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization, and its splinter organizations. Since mid-December 2015, the Turkish security forces have stepped up operations against the PKK. Longer curfews and armed conflicts must be expected, particularly in regions and cities near the border in the south-east of the country.
Travel over land
We strongly advise against traveling to the border area with Syria and Iraq.
The military clashes between the Turkish security forces and the PKK have intensified since mid-December. There is an increased risk for travelers in Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman, Bitlis, Bingöl, Siirt, Muş, Tunceli, Şırnak, Hakkâri and Van provinces. All trips to these areas that are not absolutely necessary should be avoided (otherwise see under “Current information”). Great caution is still advised. Current media coverage should be followed closely.
In the past few months, “temporary security zones” have been set up and curfews have been imposed, including in Cizre, Silopi, Nusaybin, in districts of Diyarbakır and in Silvan. Security zones and curfews are strictly controlled, entry into the security zones is strictly prohibited, a violation of the curfews The establishment of security zones and the imposition of curfews have so far taken place in particular in the area southeast of Hakkâri along the border with Iraq and in Diyarbakır and the surrounding area as well as southeast of the town of Cizre (border triangle Turkey, Syria and Iraq), however also in the provinces of Gaziantep, Kilis, Urfa, Hakkâri, Batman and Aǧrı.
For security reasons, the Turkish authorities no longer give permission to climb Mount Ararat.
