Last Updated: September 23, 2016
The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of increased
threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey. U.S. citizens should avoid
travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and
throughout the country. The U.S. Department of State is updating this Travel
Warning to reflect the September 23, 2016 decision to end the authorization for
the voluntary departure of family members of employees posted to the U.S.
Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, which was made
following the July 15, 2016 attempted coup. In addition, effective September 24,
2016, the Department of State is ending the ordered departure of family members
of U.S. government personnel posted to the Consulate in Adana and family members
of U.S. government civilians in Izmir. The Department of State will authorize
employed adult dependents (21 year or older) of employees to return to
Adana.
U.S. citizens should still carefully consider the need to travel to Turkey at
this time. The Department continues to monitor the effects of the ongoing State
of Emergency; recent terrorist incidents in Ankara, Istanbul, Gaziantep, and
throughout the Southeast; recurring threats; visible increases in police or
military activities; and the potential for restrictions on movement as they
relate to the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens in Turkey. Delays securing
consular access to U.S. citizens detained or arrested by security forces, some
of whom also possess Turkish citizenship, continue.
This replaces the
Travel Warning dated August 29, 2016.
Foreign and U.S. tourists have been
explicitly targeted by international and indigenous terrorist organizations in
Turkey. As stated in the Worldwide Caution dated September 9, 2016, in the past year,
extremists have carried out attacks in France, Belgium, Germany, and Turkey.
European authorities continue to warn of additional attacks on major events,
tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers, places of worship, and the
transportation sector. Most recently, extremists have threatened to kidnap and
assassinate Westerners and U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens are reminded to review
personal security plans, monitor local news for breaking events, and remain
vigilant at all times.
U.S. government personnel in Turkey remain subject
to travel restrictions in the southeastern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep,
Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Diyarbakir, Van, Siirt, Mus, Mardin, Batman, Bingol, Tunceli,
Hakkari, Bitlis, and Elazig. In particular, the U.S. Mission to Turkey may
prohibit movements by its personnel to these areas on short notice for security
reasons, including threats and demonstrations. Finally, due to recent acts of
violence, such as the August 20 suicide bombing in Gaziantep, the September 12
bombing in Van, and the potential for reprisal attacks due to continued Turkish
military activity in Syria, U.S. citizens are urged to defer travel to large,
urban centers near the Turkish/Syrian border.
For your safety:
- Avoid travel to southeastern Turkey, in particular large, urban centers near the Turkish/Syrian border.
- Stay away from large crowds, including at popular tourist destinations.
- Exercise heightened vigilance and caution when visiting public areas, especially those heavily frequented by tourists.
- Stay away from political gatherings and rallies.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities in an emergency.
- Stay at hotels with identifiable security measures in place.
- Monitor local media.
For further detailed information regarding Turkey and
travel:
- See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution,Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Turkey's Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and help us locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara, at +90-312-455-5555+90-312-455-5555, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +90-312-455-5555+90-312-455-5555 or +90-212-335-9000+90-212-335-9000 (U.S. Consulate General Istanbul).
- Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, located at 2 Uçsehitler Sokagi, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, at +90-212-335-9000+90-212-335-9000.
- Contact the U.S. Consulate in Adana, located at 212 Girne Bulvari, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana at +90-322-455-4100+90-322-455-4100.
- Contact the Consular Agency in Izmir at Izmir@state.gov.
- Call 1-888-407-47471-888-407-4747Â FREE toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-44441-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)
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