US State Department upgrades travel warning to Turkey due to “terrorism and arbitrary detentions”

Greek City Times


US State Department upgrades travel warning to Turkey due to
“terrorism and arbitrary detentions”

by Paul Antonopoulos

The US State Department upgraded its warning on travel to Turkey on Wednesday.

“Reconsider travel to Turkey due to COVID-19. Exercise increased
caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary
detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel
Advisory,” the State Department warned from their website.

Although Turkey, like most countries, is on a Travel Advisory Level 3
due to COVID-19, there was a special warning for Sirnak and Hakari
provinces.

“Do not travel to: Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area
within six miles (ten kilometers) of the Syrian border due to
terrorism. (Level 4),” the State Department warned.

Level 4 is the highest warning and is a “do not travel” demand.

The State Department warns that terrorist attacks can occur anywhere
and with no warning, including the specific targeting of tourist
locations.

“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,” the State Department warned, adding
that “security forces have detained tens of thousands of individuals,
including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with terrorist
organizations based on scant or secret evidence and grounds that
appear to be politically motivated.”

“U.S. citizens have also been subject to travel bans that prevent them
from departing Turkey. Participation in demonstrations not explicitly
approved by the Government of Turkey, as well as criticism of the
government (including on social media) can result in arrest,” the
statement continued.

The State Department would then give Level 4 Warnings to Sirnak and
Hakkari province, where a strong Kurdish resistance is being made
against the Turkish military.

“Do not travel to Sirnak province, Hakkari province, or any area
within six miles (ten kilometers) of the Turkey/Syria border due to
the continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups, armed conflict,
and civil unrest. Terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings,
ambushes, car bomb detonations, and improvised explosive devices, as
well as shootings, and illegal roadblocks leading to violence have
occurred in these areas. U.S. government employees are restricted from
traveling to these provinces and to any area within six miles (ten
kilometers) of the Turkey/Syria border without prior approval,” the
State Department concluded.