he U.S. Department of State has issued an update to its travel warning,
urging its citizens to avoid travel to Turkey’s southeastern provinces
amid “increased threats from terrorist groups” throughout the country,
which also prompted the U.S. to not send its NASA representatives to a space research conference in Istanbul.
The
warning urged U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the southeastern
provinces particularly near the Syrian border and to stay award from
large crowds, political gatherings and popular tourist destinations.
“Foreign
and U.S. tourists have been explicitly targeted by international and
indigenous terrorist organizations. As stated in the Worldwide Caution
dated March 3, 2016, throughout Europe
extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets,
aviation services, transportation systems and public venues where
people congregate as well as religious sites and high-profile events.
U.S. citizens are reminded to review personal security plans 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, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Diyarbakır, Van, Siirt, Muş,
Mardin, Batman, Bingöl, Tunceli, Hakkari, Bitlis and Elaziğ. U.S.
citizens should avoid areas in close proximity to the Syrian border,”
the updated notice read.
According to the notice, the Department
of State extended its March 29 ordered departure of family members of
U.S. government personnel posted to the U.S. Consulate in the southern
province of Adana and family members of U.S. government civilians in the
western province of İzmir through July 26.
U.S. Acting
Coordinator for Counterterrorism Justin Siberell said on June 2 that the
total number of terrorist attacks in 2015 decreased by 13 percent
compared to the previous year, while some countries, including Turkey,
experienced increased terror attacks throughout the past year, according
to the U.S. State Department’s 2015 Country Reports on Terrorism.
The update to the U.S.’ notice came three days after NASA
said it would not sponsor its representatives to attend the committee
on space research (COSPAR) conference to be held between July 30 and
Aug. 7 in Istanbul, citing the country’s travel warning issued on
Turkey.
