Recently reported in the Daily Express, terrifying new travel advice has been issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, warning Britons of active terrorist groups plotting attacks in the Mediterranean country, with concerns from Courier News that this could affect international hauliers and couriers.
The nation, which has a 98.9 per cent Muslim population, has also been rocked by western Islamic fanatics attempting to enter Syria to join Islamic State, as well as home-grown terror groups striking in acts of rebellion against the government, police and judiciary.
Istanbul, which attracts 7.5 million tourists every year, has been listed as a specific potential target by the Foreign Office, which has described the threat of terrorism there as ‘high’.
Raffaello Pantucci, of defence think tank Royal United Services Institute, said: “Turkey and Syria are very dangerous environments”. “Westerners will always get targeted because that will attract attention. Ultimately the terrorist groups are about attracting attention to spread their ideology”.
Nine provinces have been branded as no-go zones including the entire Syrian border after terror attacks and kidnappings.
The Foreign Office advice states: “ISIL, although based in Syria and Iraq, have the capacity to carry out attacks in neighbouring countries, including Turkey. Media reports suggest that terrorists could target areas throughout Turkey, including Ankara, Istanbul and areas close to the Syrian border.
There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.
The warning adds the government is unlikely to pay ransom for those kidnapped as they believe it will only fuel more kidnappings. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria.