TRAVEL WARNING ? YEMEN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 041097

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 and should make contingency emergency plans. This
replaces the Travel Warning for Yemen issued March 24,
2009, to update information on piracy and travel through
the Gulf of Aden.

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 Sana'a 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 on the U.S.
Embassy Website 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 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

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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. Travel by boat through the Red Sea or near the Socotra
Islands in the Gulf of Aden presents the risk of pirate
attacks. Since the beginning of 2009, 40 vessels reportedly
have been attacked and 23 vessels seized in the area. In
some cases, crew members were held for ransom. Following
the April 2009 hijacking of a U.S. cargo vessel and the
subsequent rescue of the vessel's captain, resulting in the
deaths of three pirates, Somali pirates threatened to
retaliate against American citizens transiting the region.
The threat of piracy extends into the Indian Ocean off the
coast of the Horn of Africa as well. See our International
Maritime Piracy Fact Sheet.


8. 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 the State Department's
registration web page.


9. 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) 733 213 509. 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.

10. 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 State Department's Internet site.
Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be
viewed at the U.S. Embassy Sanaa's American Citizens Services
web page.



11. Minimize considered.
CLINTON