Security Warning for Thursday 19th May

[JohnF]

How much weight you put on this is up to yourself - its only the Turkish press that's reporting it so far.  Nothing from any of the major embassies or consulates, at least those I can understand.  Anyone on here that reads Hebrew may want to check the Istanbul Israeli consulate site. 

"Turkish police issued a confidential warning to provincial security directorates across the country’s 81 provinces, cautioning against imminent attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during Youth and Sports Day celebrations on May 19, security sources have stated."

I'm not going to list all the sources, just google the thread title and you can read them for yourselves.

Be safe this coming youth and sports day CBF folks (and everyone else, obviously).

JF

[nichola]

Very little, if any publicity is being given to any events taking place this year because of the risk of drawing attention to anything where there might be crowds.

We have already seen this happen in Fethiye with the arts week and music festival. It didn't stop a good turnout but now I'm wondering how many of the people in the audience were in fact civilian police. I noticed that the crowds sat and stayed much longer than normal. The stage wasn't assembled until the day itself and there was noticeably higher police presence. Although one night they all disappeared to watch football at a local Locanta!

On the approach to Ölüdeniz as you enter Ovacık the speed camera over the newly erected metal bridge are also taking photos of every car that enters or leaves. The speed limit is 50 btw for anyone that wants to avoid a 400+₺ fine. As well as that there is a very heavy presence of Jandarma checking vehicles at random in the lay by, in the same area.

[JohnF]

It's an odd one this.  Most newspapers and news agencies in Turkey are now carrying the story, but so far none of the embassies or consulates have added it to their advisory services.

Maybe it's because it's a load of old bollox?  Who knows.

Security in Istanbul has been at a heightened level for some time now, especially around the Taksim/Beyoglu & Sultanahmet areas.  Lots of plain clothes polis mingling with tourists and panzers prominently parked with buses full of geared up polis. 

JF

[Menthol]

I thought they were cameras on the metal bridge over the top of Ovacik Hill. I'll bear the 50kmh in mind, Nichola   

Very sad to think a Youth and Sports Day should be marred by a security scare. Please stay safe everyone.

[JohnF]

Looks like someone in the US Embassy in Ankara has finally got round to reading all the newspapers they get delivered:

The U.S. Embassy is aware of media reports suggesting the possibility of terrorist incidents in Turkey on Thursday, May 19, Ataturk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day. Foreign and U.S. tourists have been explicitly targeted by international and indigenous terrorist organizations in Turkey and the possibility of a terrorist incident without warning remains a concern. Therefore, the U.S. Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to read the existing Turkey Travel Warning and Security Messages to ensure you are following best practices for personal safety.

Link: Media Reports Regarding Ataturk Youth, Sport, Memorial Day and AK Party Congress at Ankara Arena

The relevant guys in the consulate in Istanbul must be slow readers, they haven't said a dicky.

JF

[Colwyn]

Just got my daily alert from the FCO saying there have been reports of possible terrorist attacks to happen on May 19th. It was sent at 4.12pm UK (Turkey 6.12pm). Just a little late perhaps?