Afghanistan Travel Warning

On October 28, 2009, the U.S. Embassy Kabul released the following Warden Message:  

Shortly after 6:00 a.m. this morning, a group of insurgents attacked a United Nations guest house in Wazir Akbar Khan.  The attack was reportedly initiated by a suicide bomber wearing a police uniform.  Afghan National Security Forces responded to the residence, at which point a shootout ensued.  At least six UN workers, including one American, were killed in the attack.  Afghan National Security Forces killed 2-4 insurgents and captured three.

 Also this morning, three rockets/mortars were fired on the Serena Hotel.  The hotel sustained property damage but no injuries were reported.

 The U.S. Embassy is operating under normal business conditions.  No travel restrictions are in place although non-essential travel has been deferred for the remainder of today.  The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in Afghanistan.  Americans are reminded that explosions, shooting, demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.  Current intelligence reports suggest that the Taliban, al-Qaida, and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests.  These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings. 

 The U.S. Embassy is located at Great Masood Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry of Public Health (the road is also known as Bebe Mahro or Airport Road) in Kabul.  Americans who find themselves in cases of extreme emergency in Afghanistan may contact the Embassy operator via 0700-10-8000 or the Consular Section via mobile at 0700-20-1908. The American Citizens Service section is open for non-emergency services from 8am to 4:30pm, Sunday to Thursday, excluding holidays.

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This Travel Warning is being issued on April 4, 2007 to provide updated information on the security situation in Afghanistan.  The security threat to all American citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. 

The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan.  There is an ongoing threat to kidnap and assassinate U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country.  The ability of Afghan authorities to maintain order and ensure the security of citizens and visitors is limited.  Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the terrorist al-Qa’ida network, and other groups hostile to the Afghan and U.S. governments, remain active.  NATO-led military operations continue, with the heavy involvement of U.S. forces.  Travel in all areas of Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul, is unsafe due to military operations, landmines, banditry, armed rivalry among political and tribal groups, and the possibility of terrorist attacks, including attacks using vehicular or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  The security environment remains volatile and unpredictable.  No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against American and other western nationals at any time. 

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 Attacks on international organizations, international aid workers, and foreign interests have continued since June 2006.  The number of attacks in the south and southwestern areas of the country continues to increase as a result of insurgent and drug-related activity.  There were more than 130 suicide bomber and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) attacks throughout the country in 2006.  Kabul was particularly hard hit by militant attacks, such as several detonations of a remote-controlled IED and VBIED on Jalalabad Road, a suicide bomber attack upon a U.S. military convoy near Massoud Circle and the U.S. Embassy compound, a body-borne IED detonation against an ISAF convoy traveling to Kabul International Airport, and a magnetic bomb explosion in the vicinity of the Intercontinental Hotel in western Kabul.  These incidents resulted in many deaths and injuries of U.S. and coalition personnel and local civilians.

Incidents have occurred with higher frequency on the Kabul-Jalalabad Road (commonly called Jalalabad Road) since June 2006.  Because of an increase in information over the past several months about potential attacks on this road, its use is highly restricted for Embassy employees and, if the security situation warrants, sometimes is curtailed completely. 

Since mid-2006 foreigners throughout the country continued to be targeted for violent attacks and kidnappings, whether motivated by terrorism or criminality.  A Pakistani construction contractor in Zabul province was kidnapped and a Colombian NGO employee in Wardak province disappeared; neither has been found.  Two German journalists were kidnapped and killed while traveling between Baghlan and Bamiyan provinces. An Italian journalist was abducted from a public bus traveling between Lashkar Gah and Kandahar and held by gunmen for three weeks.  Two Pakistani journalists were kidnapped in Helmand province and held for six days.  Two French citizens traveling in a taxi on the main highway between Kandahar and Kabul were victims of an attempted abduction. 

For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,  
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877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316

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Foreigners in Kabul and elsewhere throughout the country were targeted for violent attacks and kidnappings.  On February 11, 2006 two Nepalese guards employed by the British Embassy were kidnapped.  One was killed; the other was found beaten.  On March 10, four Albanian workers were kidnapped in Kandahar.  They were killed, and their bodies were later found. 

Riots and incidents of civil disturbance also have occurred several times since the beginning of 2006.  During February 6-8, both peaceful and violent demonstrations occurred throughout Afghanistan in response to cartoons about Islam in a Danish newspaper.  Seven protestors were killed and scores of protestors and police were injured in the clashes.  On March 26, large anti-American protests occurred in Mazar-i-Sharif after the Government of Afghanistan released from police custody an Afghan who had converted to Christianity; the U.S. Government, along with several others, had condemned the initial arrest.  On May 29, sparked by a U.S. military convoy accident that killed seven Afghans near Bagram Air Field, violent demonstrations and lootings occurred in various parts of Kabul.  

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 Carjackings, robberies, and violent crime remain a problem.  In February, two armed bank heists occurred in Kabul; two Afghan National Police were killed in the second robbery.  In April, an American citizen reported to the Embassy that the Taliban had held him at gunpoint near Herat, and had stolen his car.  American citizens involved in property disputes -- a common legal problem -- have reported that their adversaries in the disputes have threatened their lives.

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The United States Embassy’s ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is limited, particularly for those persons outside the capital.  Afghan authorities also can provide only limited assistance to U.S. citizens facing difficulties.  U.S. citizens who choose to visit or remain in Afghanistan despite this Travel Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, and avoid rallies and demonstrations.  They are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Afghanistan.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy.  Registering makes it easier for the Embassy to contact Americans in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Great Masood Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry of Public Health (the road is also known as Bebe Mahro (Airport) Road), Kabul.  The phone number is +93-70-108-001 or +93-70-108-002.  The Embassy website is http://afghanistan.usembassy.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in Afghanistan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,  
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316

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for Global Travel, Medical & Life Insurance