The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey with a fresh warning to British travellers to be vigilant to the threat of terrorism in the country.
"Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey," read the update, which was issued late on Sunday night (29 January). No additional details for the timing of, or reason for, the update were disclosed.
In particular, the FCDO’s terror advice for Turkey focuses on the perceived threat to air passengers, stressing there is a "heightened risk" of attacks targeting the country’s aviation sector.
The advice notes the most likely places for terror attacks to take place were in the country’s major cities, such as capital Ankara and Istanbul, as well as in the south-east of the country near Turkey’s borders with Syria, Iraq and Iran.
"There is a potential that citizens from western countries may be targets or caught up in attacks, particularly in the major cities," said the FCDO. "Attacks could be indiscriminate, and occur without warning, including in places visited by foreigners, affecting public buildings, places of worship, major events or large public gatherings.
"You should be especially vigilant and where possible avoid places frequented by westerners, including diplomatic premises, places of worship, and around significant religious occasions and public holidays; terrorist groups sometimes call for attacks around these times."
On aviation specifically, the advice adds: "There is a heightened risk of terrorist attack against the aviation industry in Turkey. You should co-operate fully with security officials at airports."
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