The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory recommending “special caution” to its citizens visiting around the New Year, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointing out, among other things, the risk of terrorist attacks.
According to the German ministry, non-essential travel to the border area between Turkey and Iraq and Turkey and Syria in the provinces of Sanliurfa, Mardin Siirnak and Hakkari is discouraged, while it is emphasized that “the existence of a terrorist threat must be taken for granted in all regions of Turkey” and that “the period before New Year’s Eve is particularly symbolic for terrorist attacks.”
In addition, the German Foreign Ministry advises avoiding large gatherings, squares and tourist attractions, as well as areas near government and military installations.
Jihadists were planning attacks on non-Muslims in Turkey
It should be noted that the Turkish authorities arrested 115 suspected members of the Islamic State (ISIS) who, according to their statements, were planning to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country, as the Istanbul prosecutor’s office announced on Thursday.
Istanbul police received information that members of the Islamic State had planned attacks in Turkey, especially against non-Muslims, during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
