Northeastern Turkey Safety (Kars, Ani)

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#9, Parnassus, agree that most attacks till now have targeted security forces, and not civilians.
The train contained mostly civilians, as did the Iranian bus, but I realize that these were exceptions till now.
Still, even with only security forces targeted, there is a risk for other people around, and I would want to know that information rather than be told: it's only security forces so it's as safe as anywhere for you.

Hi guys, can you please refrain from making personal attacks and try and keep the discussion civil.
thanks
MrN

Thought I would provide an update:

I have decided to delay my trip to Kars and Ani. I often travel through Istanbul and the chance to travel to the East again will probably not be far off for me, and hopefully this wave of violence will not be long-term. The advice from everyone here was very useful and I appreciate hearing varying opinions on this forum.

I just decided that while I would most likely be safe, I would not be able to enjoy the trip knowing that the situation is escalating by the week in surrounding areas. Thanks again for the input.

Obviously the choice is yours and I don't want to try to change your mind, but I think that the situation in the East should be seen in a completely different way.
At the moment, the region is reasonably safe for tourists; in the next few months, and probably years, the situation will be the same or, if it changes...it will worsen.
I don't want to discuss about Turkish political problems, and I really hope to be wrong, but this wave of violence risks to last for a very long time. That's why if someone wants to go and visit the East, I say: go now, it can be too late in the next years.
Personally, I am happy to have visited the Southeast this Summer, because I know that maybe next year I would not have been able to do it.

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