US Warning About 'Terrorist' Threats in Turkey's Tourist Areas

On Tuesday, April 26, the US Embassy in Turkey warned its citizens about the risk of terrorist attacks in tourist areas of Turkey. According to Reuters, the embassy stated: "The US government continues to receive credible information that terrorist groups are planning attacks on crowded tourist areas across Turkey." The statement emphasized that "terrorist groups have openly targeted foreign tourists in Turkey." In recent months, Turkey has witnessed terrorist attacks on tourist and crowded centers. At least four suicide attacks have occurred in Turkey since the beginning of this year. The latest of these attacks took place in Istanbul in a busy commercial district, resulting in at least five deaths and 36 injuries. This explosion occurred on Istiklal Street, one of the busiest commercial streets in Istanbul, on Saturday, March 18. Among the victims were an Iranian citizen and two Americans. Just six days prior to this attack, an explosion in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, left 35 dead, for which a group of Kurdish rebels claimed responsibility. According to Reuters, last December, an explosion in the main tourist area of Istanbul killed at least 12 Germans. The report notes that Turkey currently faces various security threats: on one hand, the consequences of the wars in Syria and Iraq and the security threats from Islamist militants, and on the other hand, attacks from Kurdish rebels. Kurdish militants ended their ceasefire with the Turkish government last summer. Warnings from countries like the US and Israel about the imminent threat of terrorist attacks are likely to deal another blow to Turkey's tourism industry. Even before these deadly attacks and subsequent warnings, in February, the Turkish Ministry of Tourism announced that the number of tourists visiting Turkey had dropped by ten percent.