TRAVEL WARNING - YEMEN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 029422

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC YM
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - YEMEN


1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.


4. 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://yemen.usembassy.gov/yemen/citizen_ser vices.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.


5. 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

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were followed by the arrest the next day in Sanaa of
four suspected al Qa'ida operatives, who had stockpiled
explosives and weapons.


6. 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.


7. 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.


8. 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.

9. 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://yemen.usembassy.gov/yemen/citizen_serv ices.html.



10. Minimize considered.
CLINTON