01-08-2025
Foreign Office warns Brits of 'heightened risk' in popular holiday hotspot
British holidaymakers travelling to Turkey this summer have been issued a crucial update by the Foreign Office.
Tourists have been warned to stay away from some areas due to mounting concerns about the possibility of terror attacks.
Updating their advice on 31 July, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) urged visitors to steer clear of travelling along the Turkey-Syria border.
The warning on the government website reads: 'FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.'
According to officials, there is a high threat of terrorist attack in areas such as South East Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul, including from individuals and groups who see UK nationals as targets.
Extremist groups based in Syria, such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups, have the capacity to carry out attacks in Turkey.
On the Syrian side of the border, Daesh has previously targeted border crossings and nearby areas.
In recent years, there have been a number of attacks involving knives, firearms and explosives.
In October 2024, suspected Kurdish militants set off explosives and opened fire at the aerospace and defense company TUSAS, killing five people and wounded 22 others.
In January of that year, two masked gunmen opened fire at a church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul during Sunday Mass in a suspected terror attack claimed by Daesh.
The Foreign Office added: 'Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as public buildings, places of worship, airports, large public gatherings including major events, public holidays, religious occasions.'
Visitors are urged to remain vigilant of their surroundings and stay up to date with local media while following advice issued by local authorities.
