Turkey

Date: January 11th, 2005 |

Incidents of pick-pocketing have risen dramatically in the past year, up 23 percent nationwide and 60 percent in Istanbul. Most of these crimes are committed by professionals controlled by mafia groups, but children, some under the age of 10, have been involved in crime. The government reported that some 625,000 children in Istanbul are in [read more]

Turkey

Date: June 1st, 2004 |

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Turkey will host the NATO summit in Istanbul June 27-29, with preliminary meetings beginning as early as June 24. Many groups are expected to attend and anti-American protests are planned. Travelers should avoid the area where the summit is being held because security will be tight and demonstrations could become violent. Transit in the area [read more]

Turkey

Date: December 9th, 2003 |

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The UK has softened its warning about travel to Turkey after reassessing the immediate threat. The Foreign Office continues to stress that there is a high threat of terrorism in Turkey, and urges travelers to be vigilant, but has lifted the warning against nonessential travel to Turkish cities. The U.S. State Department still recommends travelers [read more]

Turkey

Date: March 18th, 2003 |

1 comment

Because of heightened tensions in the region, nonessential travel to southeastern Turkey should be avoided, and travelers should not attempt to cross the Iraqi border. Non-emergency personnel have been authorized to depart the U.S. Consulate in Adana, but the embassy in Ankara and consulates in Istanbul and Izmir are not affected by this move. Consular [read more]

Turkey

Date: December 3rd, 2002 |

No Comments

Fifteen years of emergency rule in southeastern Turkey came to an end Nov. 30 when Turkey lifted curfews and restrictions in two predominantly Kurdish areas. Diyarbakir and Sirnak were the final provinces to see emergency regulations withdrawn in an area where conflict had occurred for years between the Turkish military and Kurdish rebels. The move [read more]

Turkey

Date: August 10th, 2004 |

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Four bombs exploded in Istanbul in the early hours of Aug. 10, two in hotels in the old city, the city�s main tourist section. Two people were killed and eleven injured. Neither hotel, the Pars hotel in the Laleli district or the Star Holiday hotel in Sultanahmet, is affiliated with international chains. Both are inexpensive [read more]

Turkey

Date: December 22nd, 2003 |

No Comments

In view of the State Department’s Worldwide Caution, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara has reminded Americans that the travel warning for Turkey remains in effect, and that a potential for violence or terrori [read more]

Turkey

Date: November 24th, 2003 |

No Comments

Four recent suicide bombings in Istanbul, two at synagogues and two at British institutions, have raised fears that Turkey has become a new “front” in the worldwide conflict between Islamic terrorists and the West. Previously Turkey had been a remarkably friendly place for travelers and in many ways this may not change, but the attacks [read more]

Turkey

Date: December 10th, 2002 |

No Comments

The U.S. government has sketchy information that a terrorist attack may be launched against U.S. interests or personnel in southeastern Turkey. The threat includes the airport in Gaziantep, which is being used as an alternate airport while repairs are being made on the runway at Adana’s airport. The airport in Adana is scheduled to reopen [read more]

Turkey

Date: October 8th, 2002 |

No Comments

Driving in Turkey can be hazardous, especially for foreigners who don’t know the local “rules of the road.” Of the many accidents involving Americans in recent years, most could have been avoided had the Americans known more about local driving customs. Defensive driving and remaining alert at all times are essential. Some local driving practices [read more]