Turkey 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Ankara This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Turkey at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel to the country due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Do not travel to areas along the Turkey-Syria border, and to the southeastern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Sirnak, Diyarbakır, Van, Siirt, Muş, Mardin, Batman, Bingöl, Tunceli, Hakkâri, and Bitlis due to terrorism. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Ankara does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. Review OSAC’s Turkey-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Crime Threats There is minimal threat from crime in Ankara. Crime levels decreased significantly in 2018. Turkish citizens are the chief perpetrators and victims of the vast majority of crime in Ankara. Although violent crimes (e.g. sexual assault, rape, murder) do occur, they are infrequent or unreported, and have not had an impact on the expatriate community. Crime statistics provided by the Turkish National Police (TNP) for Ankara province in 2018 reflect the following number of reported crimes: burglary (4,083), robbery (236), vehicle break-in (1,953), vehicle theft (794), and homicide (124). U.S. citizens in the Ankara Consular District reported less than ten instances of crime to the Embassy’s ACS unit during the reporting period. Some of these may have been dual nationals and/or residents of Turkey. The crimes reported were assault, theft, and domestic violence. When dining out in Turkey, patronize well-established restaurants and always ask to see a menu to avoid inadvertently ordering food or drink at falsely inflated prices. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. Cybersecurity Issues There have been several reports in 2018 of financial internet scams victimizing U.S. citizens who transfer sums of money to a supposed friend in Turkey. These scams include fraudulent visas services or fake online romance schemes. In romance scams, online con artists may communicate and groom victims online over several months, building a romantic interest. After purporting to have an accident, arrest, travel emergency, intention to visit, or other situation, the scammer then request funds from the target. The State Department’s International Scams webpage has information detailing some of the more common scams. 1 Other Areas of Concern Anyone seeking to travel into the eastern and southeastern parts of Turkey or near Turkey’s borders with Syria and Iraq should use extra caution. The U.S. Government requires its employees to obtain prior approval before travel to these areas, and advises to avoid all travel to areas near the Syria and Iraq borders due to the threat of terrorism and the unrest in Syria. Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions Drive defensively. Local drivers routinely ignore traffic regulations, including driving through red lights and stop signs, and turning left from the far right lane. These and other similar driving practices cause frequent traffic accidents. Use extreme caution while driving at night. Driving after dark, especially in rural areas, presents additional dangers such as livestock on the road or narrow unmarked or unpaved roads. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices. Public Transportation Conditions Major cities in Turkey have extensive and modern public transportation options, including taxis, subways, ferries, trains, buses, and mini-buses. Licensed cabs have meters. Between cities, Turkey has bus routes, trains, and air services. Aviation/Airport Conditions Airport security includes three levels of screening, and limitations on the entrances to terminals. The first checkpoint is at the airport’s perimeter, where either the Turkish National Police (TNP) or the Jandarma randomly screen vehicles. The second screening areas are at the entrances to the departure and arrival halls. The third screening area is at the entrance to the departures lounge. Additional screening occurs on a random basis. Istanbul’s airport includes U.S.-mandated requirements for U.S.-bound flights. Terrorism Threat Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns There is considerable risk from terrorism in Ankara. Terrorists have previously attacked U.S. interests in Turkey, including the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, and the U.S. Consulate in Adana. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Turkey, and explicitly target Western tourists and expatriates. Terrorists may attack with little/no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. 2 Terrorist groups, including ISIS and the PKK (the Kurdistan Workers’ Party), have conducted large-scale attacks in the country, including suicide bombings, ambushes, and the detonation of car bombs, improvised explosive devices, and other homemade weapons. The PKK has attacked Turkish military and police personnel in the southeastern provinces, occasionally harming bystanders. The Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) has targeted both Turkish and U.S. government facilities in the past. The DHKP/C has stated its intention to commit further acts against Turkey, NATO, and the U.S. Al-Qa’ida, including its Syrian affiliates al-Nusrah Front (ANF) and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), maintains a presence in Turkey, but has not staged attacks recently. Groups and individuals inspired by al-Qa’ida might attempt to attack independently, placing U.S. and Turkish interests at risk. Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment Since the 2016 coup attempt, anti-U.S. rhetoric, already a feature of many Turkish media outlets, is now more pronounced. Anti-U.S. sentiment has sometimes manifested itself in violent actions targeting official U.S. interests. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Ankara. The failed coup attempt in 2016 challenged Turkey’s political stability. Polls regularly find that 40% of the electorate supports the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) founded by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The strong public reaction to the coup attempt across the political spectrum demonstrated that most Turks want a civilian government. Since the attempt, the government has dismissed or detained over 50,000 members of the military and police services. When reviewed within the overall context of the size of Turkey’s security forces, these purges have not degraded readiness or effectiveness, especially in the realm of counterterrorism. Civil Unrest Since major 2013 protests in Istanbul, Turkey has enacted legislation to inflict harsh punishment for illegal/violent protests. Covering one’s face during a protest can result in a prison sentence of up to 25 years. Religious/Ethnic Violence The Turkish government generally remains tolerant of its religious and ethnic minorities, and provides increased levels of security support around non-Sunni Islamic places of worship in reaction to terror threats. Turkish society can be less accepting of minorities. For example, in 2017, widespread ultra-nationalist sentiment manifest itself through violent attacks against Syrian refugee, Kurdish, and Alevi neighborhoods. Reaction to Israel-related policies and actions has included spontaneous demonstrations at synagogues. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Putting Your Faith in Travel: Security Implications. 3 Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards Turkey is in a seismically active region, with regular shocks measuring over 4.0 on the Richter scale. In 2017, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake injured 360 in the resort of Bodrum and triggered a small tsunami. In 2011, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake killed more than 600 people in the southeast. Many buildings do not meet Western seismic standards. Remain cognizant of hardened cover in the case of a seismic event. Critical Infrastructure Basic life-support utilities function uninterrupted; most modern offices and hotels employ back-up generator systems. The Government of Turkey maintains the ability to reduce/eliminate internet and 3G data connectivity. Known as “throttling,” the government reduced data bandwidth as a means to control demonstration activity organized on social media platforms in 2017. It banned several social media platforms, claiming such moves are part of its counterterrorism strategy. Travelers with international roaming plans typically do not report interruptions/denial of service, but they should know that the Government of Turkey is able to impair/disrupt wireless telecommunications. The Department of State encourages travelers to stay