Understanding Department of State Travel Warnings

Travel Warnings are issued by the US State Department when long term conditions make a particular country dangerous or unstable. They are also issued when the State Department’s ability to assist American citizens is limited or non-existent for one reason or another. This post is not intended to replace the State Department’s warnings. It is intended to capture at one point in time the types and breadth of the risks associated with living abroad to familiarize expatriates with the types of dangers that exist and the general locations of trouble spots around the world. Refer to the State Department’s Travel Warnings and Advisories site for the most up-to-date information.

Despite the presence of travel warnings, anyone planning to retire abroad or who is already an expatriate living abroad should carefully evaluate what the warning is all about. In some instances, the warning may refer to an entire country. In other instances, it may refer to certain regions within a country. Or the warning may be a caution about ongoing warfare or somewhat less violent public demonstrations.

Types of Threats Associated with Department of State Travel Warnings:

Terrorism: in many countries around the world, Islamic based terrorist activity is still relatively strong. In some countries, it is open warfare (e.g. Afghanistan) and in others it is more sporadic and random terrorist attack on foreigners (e.g. Lebanon).

Separatist Movements: in some countries, groups seeking autonomy from the existing government may resort to violence to achieve autonomy. Again, the nature of the threat may range from open warfare between the government and separatist groups, to more random terrorist attacks.

Unstable Governments: in some countries (e.g. Burundi), the government is unstable or very new and lacks the ability to provide basic police security and protection to foreigners from crimes. In the worst cases, armed groups roam the country freely and prey on the weak.

Highly Organized Crime: although the situation has improved greatly for a country like Colombia, at one time the drug trade had turned the country into a violent and dangerous country for expatriate living.

Widespread Community Unrest: in other countries, there may be a significant amount of unrest in the general community. This may lead to public demonstrations that may on occasion become violent. The underlying reasons for demonstrations are varied and includes dissatisfaction with the government, western governments, and other religious or ethnic groups.

As of November 2009, State Department Warnings include the following:

State Department Travel Warnings: Asia

Afghanistan: Countrywide high travel risk. Open conflict continues between the United States and the Afghan government against terrorist groups like Al-Qaida and the Taliban. Types of incidents include: kidnappings and assassinations of foreigners, open military conflict, bombings, rocket attacks, and riots.

Georgia: Specific regions with high travel risk. The separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are at risk for open conflict, crime, and violence. Types of incidents include: violent crime, violent demonstrations, and open conflict between government forces and separatist groups.

Iraq: Countrywide travel risk. Continued open warfare continues between USA and Iraqi military forces against various insurgency groups. Types of incidents include: open conflict, bombings, kidnappings, and assassination.

Iran: Countrywide travel risk. The State Department has no diplomatic or consular relations with Iran and cannot provide protection or services to Americans traveling within the country. Types of incidents: detaining of Iranian-American citizens, large scale demonstrations, and arrest/prosecution of anyone promoting or who have converted to a religion other than Islam.

Nepal: Countrywide travel risk. Heightened political instability of the country following the resignation of the Prime Minister in May 2009. Types of incidents: extortion, violent public demonstrations, violent crime in Kathmandu area, and criminal activity targeting tourists.

Pakistan: Countrywide high travel risk. Terrorist activity common in urban areas as a result of ongoing conflict between Pakistani government forces and extreme terrorist groups like Al-Qaida. Types of incidents include suicide bombings, shooting of foreigners, open conflict between Pakistani military forces and terrorist groups like Al-Qaida.

Philippines:  Specific regions with high travel risk. The island of Mindanao (central and western parts of Mindanao) and Sulu Archipelago are high risk areas due to terrorist and insurgent activities. Types of incidents include: kidnappings for ransom targeting foreigners, occasional bombings, armed conflict between insurgent groups and the Philippine Armed Forces.

Sri Lanka: Countrywide travel risk. Although the Sri Lankan government defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil insurgency group, the State Department warns that various isolated elements of the group remain active and pose a potential danger. Types of incidents in the past include: open armed conflict, bombings, and suicide attacks.

Uzbekistan: Countrywide travel risk. The State Department regularly receives information warning of the possibility that terrorist groups may be planning attacks. Types of incidents in the past include: kidnapping, assassinations, and suicide bombings.

State Department Travel Warnings: South America and the Caribbean Region

Colombia: Countrywide travel risk. Although security has greatly improved in the country, the State Department continues to warn about the threat of various narcotics related terrorist groups in both urban and rural areas. Types of incidents in the past include: kidnappings and extortion related bombings.

Haiti: Countrywide travel risk. Some degree of political instability continues to exist following contested elections early this year. Incidents include: demonstrations, criminal related kidnappings, and violent crime.

State Department Travel Warnings: Africa

Algeria: Countrywide high travel risk. The GSPC (Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat) remains allied with Al-Qaeda against the Algerian government. Incidents include: kidnappings and murder of foreigners, bombings, and open attacks by terrorists against government forces.

Burundi: Countrywide travel risk. Although a civil war ended in 2006, there are continued disturbances in “demobilization” camps as the rebel groups transitions into a regular political party. Government forces are unable to provide a high degree of police security and safety. Incidents include: high crime risks and banditry.

Central African Republic: Countrywide high travel risk. The current government is unable to guarantee safety in most parts of the country from armed rebel groups, bandits and poachers. Incidents include: targeted attacks on expatriates, high crime risks, and extortion from both rebel groups and government forces.

Chad: Countrywide high travel risk: Ongoing conflict between the government and separatist groups pose a threat to travelers. Political tension between Chad and Sudan have the potential to escalate as well. The government is unable to provide reliable security to expatriates. Incidents include: open military conflict between government and separatists, and banditry.

Congo, Democratic Republic of: Specific regions with high travel risk. Instability in North Kivu province and crime threat in the city of Kinshasa. Both government groups and rebel fighters may be threats. Incidents include: violent criminal activity, kidnappings, rape, and paramilitary violence.

Cote d’Ivoire: Countrywide high travel risk. The country remains divided in two as a result of a separatist movement from a failed coup attempt. Incidents include open conflict between the two competing governments.

Eritrea: Countrywide travel risk. A high degree of tension exists between Eritrea and Ethiopia and Djibouti. Incidents include: arrest of Eritrean-US citizens without apparent cause and shootings between military forces.

Guinea: Countrywide high travel risk. The US Embassy is closed although its consular section still provides emergency services due to the political instability in the country. Incidents include: violent demonstrations resulting in deaths and rape of women by government forces, government coups.

Kenya: Countrywide high travel risk. Continued threats from terrorist groups continue to raise the State Department’s concern for travelers in this country. Recent incidents include: violent carjackings, home invasions/burglaries, general civil unrest, and bombings. Terrorists from neighboring Somalia have also crossed over to Kenya to kidnap foreigners.

Mali: Countrywide high travel risk. The presence of Al-Qaeda creates a potential threat for Americans in this country. Conflict between the Mali government and separatist groups also create a potentially dangerous environment. Incidents include: kidnapping and murder of tourists, suicide bombings, and armed conflict between government and separatist groups. 

Nigeria: Countrywide high travel risk. Continued tension between Muslim and Christians combined with ethnic tensions, create a risk for travel in the country. Armed militant groups have attacked oil installations and government posts in some parts of the country.  Incidents include: conflict between militant and government groups/ethnic groups/religious groups, violent crime, kidnappings, extortion, and carjackings.

Somalia: Countrywide high travel risk. There is no US embassy or consular services in the country. Terrorists and armed groups are able to operate at will. Incidents include: kidnappings, murder, car bombings, banditry, and armed conflict between militia groups.

Sudan: Countrywide high travel risk. Threats of terrorist attacks against American interests continue to surface. Recent protests in country have been strongly anti-western in nature. Open conflict between government forces and armed militias occur in the Darfur area. Incidents include: assassinations, hostage taking, airlines hijacking, kidnapping, carjackings, and armed robberies.

State Department Travel Warnings: Middle East

Israel: Countrywide high travel risk. Intermittent conflicts between Israeli Defense Forces and armed terrorist groups continue. Airstrikes, rocket and mortar attacks occur from time to time, particularly in the Gaza region. Incidents include: open military conflict between Israeli and anti-Israeli groups particularly in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Lebanon: Countrywide high travel risk. Americans continue to be the target of intermittent terrorist activity. Incidents include: public demonstrations, bombings, military counterattacks from neighboring Israel, and armed roadblocks.

Saudi Arabia: Countrywide travel risk. Despite improvements in security by the government, the presence of terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda creates a potential risk to American travelers. The last major attack occurred in 2007.

Syria: Countrywide high travel risk. Syria is considered a state sponsor of terrorism which supports and permits the presence of various terrorist groups in the country. Incidents include: violent demonstrations, bombings, assassinations, and armed attacks on the US embassy.

Yemen: Countrywide high travel risk. Anti-western activities associated with terrorist groups present a regular threat to foreigners. Incidents include: suicide bomb attacks targeting tourists, conflict between Yemeni troops and rebel groups, pirate attacks, and attacks on the US Embassy.

(Photo by Tome213)

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