Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The U.S. State Department has strongly advised citizens against traveling to Afghanistan, citing a heightened risk of arbitrary detention.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a strong advisory urging American citizens to avoid traveling to Afghanistan, citing heightened risks to their safety and security.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 19, the Consular Section of the State Department emphasized that travelers should remain aware of the dangers and make informed decisions before considering any trip to the country.
The advisory explained that Washington uses a “Risk Indicator D” to identify countries where U.S. citizens face a high threat of unlawful or arbitrary detention. Afghanistan, it said, ranks at the top of this list due to its severe risks.
Alongside Afghanistan, the warning also applies to several other countries, including Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela, where similar risks of detention and harassment exist.
This latest warning follows earlier incidents in which Taliban authorities detained American citizens who had traveled to Afghanistan, adding to Washington’s concerns over the safety of its nationals in the country.
By placing Afghanistan at the top of its risk list, the U.S. government has reinforced its call for citizens to reconsider any plans to travel there. The advisory reflects the broader U.S. policy of caution regarding travel to regions marked by instability, authoritarian rule, and threats to foreign nationals.