Syria Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the fact that non-emergency employees and family members have been authorized to return to the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, but the Department continues to urge U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Syria. This Travel Warning also alerts U.S. citizens to the ongoing safety and security concerns in Syria. It supersedes the Travel Warning issued on September 14, 2006. On September 12, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by assailants using improvised explosives, gunfire, and two vehicles laden with explosives. However, the Embassy perimeter was not breached. This attack underscores the presence of terrorist groups in Syria that have the ability and intent to target American interests. The Embassy is working with the Syrian authorities to address these threats and the security issues raised by the attack on the Embassy. Read more
Bangladesh Travel Announcement
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bangladesh to recent events related to the security situation in Bangladesh. American citizens are urged to continue to monitor events closely and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security while in the country. This Public Announcement expires on May 6, 2007.
In late October 2006, political violence erupted in Dhaka and provincial cities, killing approximately 15 people and wounding several hundred. The political opposition successfully shut down the country’s major port in Chittagong, border entry points from India, and major highways leading to Dhaka and Chittagong. All modes of transportation, including rail and river, were temporarily disrupted. Read more
Fiji Travel Announcement
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in the Republic of the Fiji Islands to the recent deterioration of civilian-military relations in Fiji and to threats by some elements of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces of possible action against the democratically elected government. Of special concern is the military commander’s public threat to forcibly remove the government if it does not accede to his demands. At present, Fiji remains calm; however, the security situation could deteriorate without warning. This Public Announcement expires on December 4. Read more
East Timor Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being updated to inform Americans of ongoing security concerns in East Timor and to urge American citizens to defer non-essential travel to East Timor at this time. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on July 18, 2006.
Although the Department of State authorized lifting the ordered departure status of the U.S. Embassy in Dili on July 18, the Department remains concerned by the threat to the personal safety of Americans in East Timor due to continued indiscriminate communal and politically motivated violence, particularly in the capital, Dili. American citizens are urged to defer non-essential travel to East Timor. Demonstrations in response to the dismissal of 595 members of the armed forces escalated into rioting and violence in April and May. The presence of international troops and police beginning in late May has improved the security situation. However, an upsurge in violence in late October resulted in the deaths of several people, and a number of serious security concerns remain, including: Read more
Mexico Travel Announcement
This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement dated August 24, which alerts U.S. citizens to the mounting violence and disorder in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. U.S. citizens should at this time avoid travel to Oaxaca City due to this increase in violence, which has resulted in at least nine deaths over the past several months. This Public Announcement expires on November 15, 2006.
On October 27, a U.S. journalist was fatally shot in Oaxaca City amid the ongoing violence and disorder caused by civil unrest. Several protest groups have engaged in increasingly violent demonstrations in and around Oaxaca City for several months, sometimes resulting in similarly violent reactions from other groups. Read more
Chad Travel Warning
This Travel Warning reminds American citizens of ongoing rebel activity in Chad, and provides updated information on security incidents. This supersedes the Travel Warning of September 6, 2006.
The Department of State continues to urge American citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Chad, due to continued threats of rebel activity on Chad’s borders with Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR). Americans should exercise caution when traveling in Chad, including within the capital, N’Djamena. Americans not affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts should avoid travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/CAR border. Read more