Advertisement

Turkey boosts security ahead of Anzac Day ceremony

Snipers are being stationed around key sites and soldiers and police have been checking access lanes.

Snipers are being stationed around key sites and soldiers and police have been checking access lanes. Photo: ABC

Turkish officials say they have responded to Australian’s warnings about a potential attack on this year’s Anzac Day ceremony at Gallipoli by boosting the number of security personnel.

An official in the Canakkale governor’s office said the number of soldiers and police on hand would be doubled.

However, there are no plans for beefed up security like checkpoints to stop and search cars or their occupants.

A ruling party member of the parliamentary committee on Foreign Affairs, Ravza Kavakci Kan, told the ABC she had been briefed on the Australian warning but it contained no hard intelligence.

“This is something brought from the Australian Government and they don’t have any specifics. Any kind of intelligence information is processed by the related institutions that have the authority so there is nothing to worry about,” she said.

She also played down the threat.

While the Australian Government has warned of information about a possible attack, it has not raised the travel warning for Gallipoli and continues to urge a high degree of caution.

anzac day

Turkish officials say the number of security personnel will be doubled. Photo: ABC

There is a higher level of alert for Turkey’s two main international gateways, Ankara and Istanbul, with the government advising Australians to reconsider their need to visit.

“It really upsets me and hurts me, that there is this negative campaign about Turkey. I don’t think it is a necessary warning,” Dr Kan said.

“I mean, I am an MP from Istanbul and because the parliament is in Ankara I am constantly going back and forth. Istanbul and Ankara are as safe as any European city.”

Snipers are being stationed around key sites and soldiers and police have been checking access lanes and tracks but the head of the Gallipoli organising committee, Ismail Kasdemir, said security measures would be the same as last year.

Some spots in the ceremony site are closed to the traffic in order to prevent any problems and there is ID control for everyone who wants to enter to the site.

Those who are not accredited will no be allowed access, just like every year.

Turkey has been the scene of attacks claimed by both the Islamic State group and a Kurdish splinter group.

The big cities are the most likely target. If an attacker has Gallipoli in their sights they would have to get past numerous police and soldiers at key intersections across the peninsula.

But there are hundreds of kilometres of roads leading to the site, dotted with popular restaurants and roadside diners which are not as easy to protect.

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.