World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkey expanded its travel warning on Iraq on Wednesday to include all regions not under Kurdish control in the north.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the change in advice was due to Iraq’s security situation, threats towards Turkish companies and the “growing remarks from various circles against Turkey’s interests and encouraging acts of violence, terror, demonstration and kidnapping.”

The advice applies to all of Iraq except the provinces of Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, which are controlled by the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government.

The ministry advised Turkish nationals to be “vigilant in all circumstances, avoid crowded places, to strengthen security measures and be in contact with the Baghdad embassy.”

It said those “whose stay is not compulsory to leave the provinces as soon as possible” and advised against travelling to Iraq “unless it is absolutely necessary”.