Hey guys,

In a couple of weeks time, all going to plan, we'll have crossed Iraqi Kurdistan and will be entering Turkey via the Zakho border. We'd like to make our way to Mersin for a ride along the Mediterranean Coast, but realise there are some security concerns around the border areas. Can anyone recommend a reasonable route from Zakho to Mersin or even advise any areas that should definitely be avoided? Also, we don't have green card insurance yet, can we buy temporary Turk insurance at the border?
Thanks

I bought Turkish insurance at the Bulgarian border, and it was all very official. I would assume that it's the same all over.
I travelled though Kurdish Turkey last summer, and although I got stopped (a lot!), one they realised I was a tourist, it was generally fine - though they did sometimes need some convincing! I would avoid Diyarbakir - there was a car bomb when I was there. There were also a lot of armed police in plain clothes on the street, and a lot of tension. I would avoid 10km to the Syrian border. You could easily head up to Gaziantep and along the main road west. Ask locals, they know where is safe and where isn't. Learn how to say hello and goodbye in Kurdish!

I am also really interested in your trip to Iraq! Is there somewhere I can read more about it?

Hi, thanks for the very helpful information. Will be crossing into Turkey shortly so I'm hoping we have no troubles either... We will certainly avoid Diyarbakir and probably take the Gaziantep route West, as you recommend. Cheers! If you'd like to know more about some of the places we've been you can check out our website: www.postietraumaticstress.com . It's a little behind as we are just putting together our Iran blog so Iraq will be a few week's yet I imagine. Thanks again for your help

Amazing journey, I believe more of us would like to follow your route if you have a blog or profile on facebook or instagram account maybe?

For security in Turkey/Syria border I would get in touch with Mr. Mehmet Zeki Avar here on forum, he is from Turkey, and has fresh info.

We can offer you EU border insurance check here

Stay safe and tell us more

Cheers
Dooby

Be careful everybody planning to be in north İraq.
Not sure where to start and what to write..
Noone knows what will happen tomorrow according to agreements between turkey,iran,kurds, usa and russia..
Winds change directions so often same as rented fighting groups do...
Nobody knows what is discussed behind closed doors...
And North Iraq kurds leader Barzani was here 3-4 days ago..

Personal idea and my sixth sense says its a nogo area till mid may according to expectations of locals..Here is some inf. for why....

TR. army will start operations in north ıraq too in a cooperation with north ıraqı kurds and within a few days...
All north ıraq will be under airstrike bombings and firstly west of firat river(menbij area) then east side (kobani area)will be cleared from terrorist groups by military land operations....

Its reported that terrorists groups and işid in the area started wearing USA. military uniforms..

Turkish side of the ıraqi border is completely under military checkings and controls..If you have to be on the road,just obey what you are told by authorities..currently no escort follows but several check points.means several fruit,çay! offers,chat and selfie with soldiers..
Never leave the main road to west and dont travel during night time.Gas stations where trucks,buses give a break are most safe places to stop or spend the night if you have to do..Safety depends completely on being at the right place at the right time...

Insallah,hopefully these holy areas and mesopotamia, the birth place of civilizations will be peacefull,safe, friendly and welcoming again..

God bless all on the roads..

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn

And to Dooby and Mehmet, thanks also very much for your help. Northern Iraq has so far been fantastic but I understand that the situation can change very quickly and this probably isn't the safest place in the world at the moment...still, we'll hopefully be crossing into Turkey in about 5 days time and then go as quickly as possible to some safer areas. Many thanks again.

for your information.Checked today.
Before Kobane,Nusaybin M4 and akçakale 712 road gates are open,ceylanpınar is closed.you can also easily make to şanlıurfa via these gates then west through gaziantep.

Visa fees of turkey for AUS.
AVUSTRALYA
passport must be valid for minimum 5 months..
90 days with multiple entry.

e-visa...... 60 $
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

gate visa.. 70 $/ 50 € / 45 £

İnsallah your road angels be beside you..

Al the best and safe travels..

PS. you have made to the highest atm. of the world in a crazy weather so this stage may be a cheese cake for you..Great blog..Good luck..

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn

Hi Mehmet,
I use this old thread to ask you if you have any recent update about situation in South East Turkey and Northern Iraq.
Next spring I would like to visit Sanliurfa, Mardin, Diyarbakir, Van, Dogubayazit and maybe spend a few days in northern Iraq to Erbil: do you know how are things going in the region now?