YEMEN

March 26, 2009

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities.  The Department recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen.  American citizens remaining in Yemen despite this warning should monitor the U.S. Embassy website at http://yemen.usembassy.gov and should make contingency emergency plans.  This replaces the Travel Warning for Yemen issued September 17, 2008, to update information on security incidents and travel restrictions for U.S. Embassy personnel.

The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen.  On the morning of September 17, 2008 armed terrorists attacked the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, Yemen.  A number of explosions occurred in the vicinity of the Embassy's main gate.  Several Yemeni security personnel and one Embassy security guard were killed, as were a few individuals waiting to gain entry to the Embassy, one of whom was a U.S. citizen.

U.S. Embassy employees have been advised to exercise caution when choosing restaurants, hotels or visiting tourist areas in Sanaa in order to avoid large gatherings of foreigners and expatriates.  Only limited travel outside of the capital is authorized at this time.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Yemen despite this warning should exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current.  American citizens in Yemen are advised to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners countrywide, including restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates.  From time to time, the Embassy may restrict official Americans from restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas.  The Department of State strongly encourages American citizens to consult the most recent Warden Messages (http://usembassy.state.gov/yemen/citizen_services.html) to get up-to-date information on security conditions.  Americans who believe they are being followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there.

The Department remains concerned about possible attacks by extremist individuals or groups against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived interests.  On March 15, 2009, four South Korean tourists were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the city of Shibam in southern Hadramout province.  On March 18, 2009, a South Korean motorcade was attacked by a suicide bomber near Sana'a International Airport.  On January 17, 2008, suspected al-Qa'ida operatives ambushed a tourist convoy in the eastern Hadramout Governorate, killing two Belgians.  On July 2, 2007, suspected al-Qa'ida operatives carried out a vehicle-borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Belquis Temple in Marib, which resulted in the deaths of eight Spanish tourists and two Yemenis.  The targeting of tourist sites by al-Qa'ida may represent an escalation in terror tactics in Yemen.  On February 3, 2006, 23 convicts, including known affiliates of al-Qa'ida, escaped from a high-security prison in Sanaa, some of whom remain at large.  Two of the escapees were killed in vehicle-based suicide attacks on oil facilities near Mukalla and Marib on September 15, 2006.  Those attacks were followed by the arrest the next day in Sanaa of four suspected al Qa'ida operatives, who had stockpiled explosives and weapons.

The Government of Yemen has been battling al Houthi rebels in and around the northern governorate of Saada intermittently since 2004.  While foreigners have not been targeted, hundreds of soldiers and civilians have been killed in the violence.  U.S. citizens traveling in Yemen should be aware that local authorities occasionally place restrictions on the travel of foreigners to parts of the country experiencing unrest.  In addition, the U.S. Embassy itself often restricts travel of official personnel to the tribal areas north and east of Sanaa, such as the governorates of Amran, Al Jawf, Hajja, Marib, Saada, and Shabwa.  Travelers should be in contact with the Embassy for up-to-date information on such restrictions.

U.S. citizens should register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and security in Yemen.  This can be done online prior to arrival in Yemen at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, P.O. Box 22347.  The telephone number of the Consular Section is (967) (1) 755-2000, extension 2153 or 2266.  The fax number is (967) (1) 303-175.  The after-hours emergency number is (967) (1) 755-2000 (press zero for extension) or (967) 733213509.  From time to time the Embassy may temporarily close or suspend public services for security reasons.  Emergency assistance to U.S. citizens during non-business hours (or when public access is restricted) is available through Embassy duty personnel.

Current information on travel and security in Yemen may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canada, 1-202-501-4444.  U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Yemen and the Worldwide Caution on the Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov.  Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be addressed at http://usembassy.state.gov/yemen/citizen_services.html.

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Americans living or traveling in Oman are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. Registration with Embassies/Consulates is available at www.travel.state.gov under “International Travel for U.S. Citizens.” Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. The Embassy’s phone number is (968) 2464-3400. This new phone number is also for after-hours emergencies.

American citizens wishing to contact the Consular Section may do so via email at ConsularMuscat@state.gov or fax at (968) 2464-3535. If you wish to speak directly to a consular staff member, please call the embassy phone number between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and follow the prompts. On a walk-in basis, American Citizens Services are available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street in the diplomatic area of Shatti al Qurum in the capital city of Muscat. American Citizens Service hours are: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The Embassy is closed on Omani and American holidays.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.  

In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Tracey Thornton

Consular Section

U.S. Embassy Muscat