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Australian gov't issues terror warning for Gallipoli Anzac Day commemorations on April 25

Xinhua, April 7, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Australian government has overnight issued a warning to travelers heading to Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in Turkey, with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop saying she received information that a possible terror attack could be planned for the site.

Anzac Day, which is a day recognizing the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand defence force personnel in all wars, is commemorated on April 25 each year, and thousands of Australians make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli in Turkey annually.

Anzac troops first fought together in World War 1, when they landed at the Turkish site on April 25, 1915.

Overnight, Australia's Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop issued a warning to those heading to the Turkish peninsula, appealing to those who hadn't pre-planned travel to the region to reconsider the need.

"The Australian government has received information to suggest terrorists may seek to target Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula," she said in a statement released overnight.

"Turkish authorities are aware of this information and traditionally provide a high level of protective security around Anzac Day commemorations on the peninsula.

"We advise travelers to 'reconsider their need to travel' to Ankara and Istanbul, the advice has been updated to reflect that there is new information."

Bishop said it was likely that many Australians had pre-planned their visit to Gallipoli, and added that if that was the case, Australians should "minimize transit time spent in Istanbul and Ankara".

"Travel advice for Turkey continues to recommend that travelers avoid large crowds and minimize time spent around potential targets for attack, including tourist sites," she said.

"The Australian Government does not provide this advice lightly. The travel advice for Turkey, like all travel advisories, remains under close review and represents our best assessment of the safety and security environment that Australian travelers will experience in Turkey.

"We are conscious of the effect of this on the many Australians planning to attend this year's Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli. In the current global environment, major events attract threats of varying degrees of credibility. Regrettably Anzac Day is not immune." Endit