Safety and Security

Information about specific safety and security issues can be found under “Messages for U.S. Citizens” at each of our respective Mission websites:

Messages for U.S. Citizens - Embassy Ankara

Messages for U.S. Citizens - Consulate General Istanbul

Messages for U.S. Citizens - Consulate Adana.

Due to a record of past terrorist attacks in Turkey and a continuing threat from both transnational and indigenous groups, the threat level for the possibility of further terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests remains critical.

In the past, terrorists have attacked U.S. interests in Turkey, including the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, and an iftar organized by U.S. Consulate Adana to celebrate the end of Ramadan. As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists may seek alternative targets, including facilities where U.S. citizens and Westerners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit. Terrorists have also been known to conduct attacks at sites frequented by tourists. Be especially alert in such places.

Known terrorist groups active in Turkey include:

• The Kurdistan People's Congress (also known as Kongra Gel or KGK, better known as the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK) has been the most active terrorist organization in Turkey, almost exclusively targeting Turkish government facilities and infrastructure. Beginning in the summer of 2015, the PKK has resumed widespread attacks against Turkish security forces in the southeast.
  
  
• The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also referred to as The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has a significant presence in northern Syria and along portions of the Turkish/Syrian border. Foreign terrorist fighters have been known to travel through Turkey to Syria and Iraq. Turkish authorities believe ISIL is responsible for a July 2015 bombing that killed 30 Turkish citizens in the town of Suruc, near the Syrian border.

• The Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) is known to target both Turkish and U.S. facilities, including detonating a suicide bomb at the U.S. Embassy Ankara in 2013 and shooting at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul in August 2015. The DHKP/C has stated its intention to commit further attacks against Turkey, NATO, and the United States.

• While al-Qaida, also known as Jabhat al-Nusra (JAN) in this region maintains a presence in Turkey, it has not staged attacks recently. Groups and individuals inspired by al-Qaida might attempt to do so, however, placing U.S. and Turkish interests at risk.

• A Syria-based group, Mukaveme Suriyyi (Syrian Resistance), under the leadership of Mihrac Ural (formerly head of the Turkish People’s Liberation Party/Front – THKP/C), is believed by Turkish authorities to be behind the two largest terrorist attacks of 2013 in Turkey.

U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. You should follow local news sources during your stay to remain abreast of any potential areas, dates, or times of concern, and enroll in the State Department’s STEP program.

Exercise caution and good judgment, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant with regard to your personal security. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.

Do not accept letters, parcels, or other items from strangers for delivery either inside or outside of Turkey. The KGK (PKK) has attempted to use foreigners to deliver messages and packages. Individuals acting or seen to be acting as "couriers" could be arrested for aiding and abetting the terrorist organization.

International and domestic political issues sometimes trigger demonstrations in major cities in Turkey. Demonstrations can occur with little or no advance notice. However, even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable; they should be avoided. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media. Obey the instructions of Turkish security personnel at all times.

In addition to terrorist activities, there have been instances of religious violence targeting individuals in Turkey working as religious missionaries (which is severely restricted in Turkey) or viewed as having proselytized for a non-Islamic religion. Threats and actual instances of crime have targeted Christian and Jewish individuals, groups, and places of worship in Turkey, including several high-profile murders of Christians over the last decade.

The level of anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiment remains significant.

Travelers should be aware that in response to reports of the government of China’s restrictions on Uighurs during the 2015 Ramadan celebrations, incidents of unprovoked, violent harassment against East Asian individuals have occurred in Turkey. U.S. citizens of East Asian descent, or those who are perceived to be from East Asia, are most at risk.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.

• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.

• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.

• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Turkey on Twitter and visit the Embassy’s website. 

• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. 

• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

Specific threats to safety and security in major cities and regions in Turkey include:

Ankara: The DHKP/C has conducted attacks against U.S. and Turkish government interests, including Turkish Parliament and police stations and the U.S. Embassy in February 2013.

Istanbul: Small-scale bombings, violent demonstrations, and vehicle arson have frequently occurred over the last two years. In August 2015, DHKP/C members conducted shooting attacks on the U.S. Consulate and the Dolmabahce Palace, a location frequented by tourists

Aegean Region: This region of Turkey has seen terrorist attacks against the Turkish Government in the past.

Eastern and Southeastern Provinces (including Adana): The Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid areas in close proximity to the Syrian border. Due to heightened security concerns, the Government of Turkey has closed its border with Syria for all foreigners, including U.S. citizens, to enter/exit Syria. No one is allowed to cross from Syria into Turkey unless seeking emergency medical treatment, or those seeking refuge from imminent danger. Rarely, exceptions may be granted by the Turkish government but require advance administrative processing and are not guaranteed. 

Turkey’s southern border with Syria remains difficult to control, potentially allowing members of ISIL and other Islamic extremist terrorist groups to travel between Iraq, Syria and Turkey, possibly bringing with them weapons and explosives. While there have been no reported kidnappings involving U.S. citizens in Turkey, various terrorist organizations continue to finance their operations through kidnapping for ransom operations. Kidnapping targets are usually citizens from governments or third parties that have established a pattern of paying ransoms for the release of individuals in custody. We recommend that U.S. citizens take precaution in any meetings with individuals claiming to represent or be affiliated with anyone involved in the Syrian conflict.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, Turkish towns located along the border with Syria have been struck by bullets and artillery rounds that originate in Syria, some resulting in deaths or injuries. Additionally, there is potential for road blocks and demonstrations which could turn violent at any time. U.S. citizens traveling in southeastern Turkey should exercise extreme caution, as terrorist groups have conducted large-scale attacks, including car bombings. Travelers are also specifically advised not to photograph Turkish military operations or installations near the Syrian border or anywhere else in Turkey.

A growing number of Syrian refugees live in camps and unofficial shanty-towns throughout the country, with the largest population located in southern border provinces. In some cases, Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens have clashed, either in organized demonstrations or as a result of a perceived provocation.

On July 20, 2015, there was a deadly suicide attack on the Amara Culture Center in Suruc, a town located in the Sanliurfa province on the Syrian border. The explosion killed 33 people and injured more than 100. The suicide bomber was believed to be a member of ISIL.

The PKK has attacked Turkish military and police personnel in the southeastern provinces, occasionally harming innocent bystanders. Attacks have included ambushes, roadside explosions caused by remote-controlled land mines or other improvised explosive devices, Molotov cocktails and other homemade weapons. Attacks are more frequent before major political events and anniversaries associated with the PKK terrorist movement. Access to the southeastern provinces of Sirnak, Hakkâri, and Siirt along the Iraqi border, are controlled by the security forces.

Use commercial air travel whenever possible while traveling to southeastern Turkey. If road travel is necessary, drive only during daylight hours and on major highways. The Turkish Jandarma and police forces monitor checkpoints on roads in this region. You should cooperate if stopped at any checkpoint. Be prepared to provide identification and vehicle registration. Remain calm, do not make any sudden movements, and obey all instructions. We strongly discourage the use of public transportation in the southeastern region.

U.S. government employees are subject to travel restrictions. They must obtain advance approval prior to official or unofficial travel to the provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Diyarbakir, Van, Siirt, Mus, Mardin, Batman, Bingol, Tunceli, Hakkari, Bitlis, and Elazig. Mount Ararat, in Ağri province, is a special military zone and access permission must be obtained from the Turkish Government through a Turkish embassy or consulate before coming to Turkey.

On August 27, 2015, the U.S. Department of State updated the Travel Warning for Syria. This travel warning remains in effect. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus closed in February 2012.

CRIME: The rate of street crime remains relatively low in Turkey. In Istanbul, petty street crime is most common in tourist areas such as Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, and in the areas around the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. Carry only what you need when in these areas. You should carry a copy of your passport and visa with you and leave your U.S. passport in your hotel safe.

As in other large metropolitan areas throughout the world, common street crimes include pick pocketing, purse snatching, and mugging. Often the crime is preceded by some sort of diversion such as an argument, a fight, or someone bumping into you. Residential crime is an issue in major cities, with criminals targeting ground floor apartments for theft. Do not be complacent regarding your personal safety. You should use the same precautions you would in the United States.

As of July 2015, the U.S. government no longer uses Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts in Turkey for official U.S. government travel. The U.S. embassy has determined that the hotel’s internal policies and procedures for assisting guests who are victims of crime may place travelers at risk.

The Embassy and consulates have received reports of crimes against women. In January 2013, a U.S. citizen female tourist traveling alone was murdered in Istanbul. Female travelers should exercise caution in the "mixed" Turkish baths (hamams) and spas. Incidents involving the use of "date rape" drugs (Nembutal and Benzodiazepine) have been reported.

Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are bootleg copies of copyrighted goods illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them, you are breaking local law. 

U.S. citizen tourists sometimes report a particular kind of confidence game in Turkey, mainly in Istanbul, that targets lone male tourists. The con induces unsuspecting men to patronize certain eating and drinking establishments where the costs for food and beverages are hyper-inflated. Generally, an inside person associated with one of these establishments, usually another unassuming male, will befriend a target and invite him to visit a bar that he knows. Once at the bar, drinks are brought to the table and the target is usually joined by one or more females and others who work there. The target is unaware of the costs of food and drinks that are either ordered or simply delivered to the table until after the bill arrives. Since the prices are not clearly marked in menus, patrons generally have little recourse but to pay the final bill, no matter how outrageously high the total is. People who refuse to pay are intimidated to do so and sometimes forcibly taken to an ATM to withdraw money. When dining out, patronize well-established restaurants, and if you are off the beaten path, always ask to see a menu before ordering anything.

The Embassy and Consulates have received e-mail complaints from U.S. citizens about online scams – ranging from fraudulent awarding of diversity ("lottery") visas to fronts for Internet dating and romances to scams about purchasing pets – and were subsequently defrauded of hundreds or thousands of dollars. In particular, there has been an increase in cases of foreigners establishing contact with U.S. citizens on the internet and over several months building a romantic interest. After purporting to run into an accident, arrest, travel emergency, intention to visit or other situation, they request funds. Be very careful about suspicious requests for deposits and various types of registration fees. The State Department’s International Scams webpage has a section detailing some of the more common scams. You should also exercise due diligence when purchasing real estate in Turkey. For more information please visit the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guidance for Foreigners website. Please carefully research the background of any property in order to ensure that everything is legal.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport;
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape;
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, contact family members or friends; and
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent of the "911" emergency line (for police, fire, or ambulance) in Turkey is 155. The emergency number for ambulance assistance only is 112.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.