Travel warning issued for Turkey

Posted on 10 October 2019

Known for it’s rich history, the fairy domes of Cappadocia, its gorgeous Mediterranean coastline, ruins at Ephesus and Istanbul’s Aigia Sophia, Turkey is a popular destination for tourists and South Africans, as we can visit visa-free.

Following the announcement by Turkey’s president Tayyip Recep Erdogan that Turkey intends to ‘destroy the terror corridor ‘ and bring peace to the region. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all travel to areas within 10 km of the border with Syria, with the exception of the city of Kilis.

According to India Today, ‘The northeastern border region, currently controlled by Kurdish-led forces, stretches 480km from the Euphrates river in the west to the Iraq border to the east.

The immediate focus of Turkey’s military plans appears to be around a section of the border between the towns of Ras al Ain and Tel Abyad, which are about 100 km (62 miles) apart.’

‘The UK’s FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

  • all other areas of Sirnak, Kilis (including Kilis city) and Hatay provinces
  • the provinces of Diyarbakir, Tunceli and Hakkari’

There are no warnings related to any popular tourist attractions, however the FCO does encourage visitors to be wary in cities, as most previous attacks ‘have taken place in the south and east of the country, and in Ankara and Istanbul’.

Images: Unsplash






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