U.S. State Department issues Travel Warning for Afghanistan
August 13th, 2010 - 9:46 pm ICT by BNO NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The U.S. State Department on Friday issued a new Travel Warning for Afghanistan, warning U.S. citizens of the critical dangers still present in the war torn country, including kidnapping and violent insurgent attacks.
The new Travel Warning supersedes the one issued by the U.S. State Department on May 25, in order to remind U.S. citizens of the increased security risk by going to Afghanistan. The warning said that no part of Afghanistan should be considered “immune from violence,” and that the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, whether it is targeted or random, against U.S. and Western nationals at all times.
Furthermore, it warned that “remnants” of the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and other organizations and militant networks hostile to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) remain active. There is an ongoing threat within the country to kidnap U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country, according to the State Department.
The Travel Warning didn’t exude confidence in Afghan authorities either, saying that they have only a “limited ability to maintain order and ensure the security of Afghan citizens and visitors.” Riots and civil demonstrations are rampant inside the country, and often escalate into violence. It concluded the Travel Warning by saying that travel in all areas of the country is unsafe due to the military combat operations, landmines, banditry, armed rivalry, and possible terrorist attacks using either vehicular or other improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
On August 5, a group of doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners were shot dead near their vehicles in Badakhshan province as they were conducting a medical aid visit to the nearby remote areas. Earlier this year, in the same province, a group of U.S. citizen missionaries were met with hostile fire and required a joint evacuation by the U.S. Embassy and the Afghan Ministry of Interior.
Finally, it warned that U.S. citizens in Afghanistan cannot rely completely on the U.S. Embassy to help them in a time of crisis, especially if they are outside of the capital. However, U.S. citizens are regardless highly encouraged to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence within the country by registering with the Embassy through the U.S. State Department’s website.
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Tags: bno, combat operations, explosive devices, hostile acts, hostile fire, insurgent attacks, international security assistance, isaf, medical aid, medical practitioners, military combat, missionaries, new travel, ngo workers, non governmental organization, remnants, riots, rivalry, security risk, western nationals