August 7, 2017

Somalia Travel Warning

U.S. citizens are being warned to avoid travel to Somalia because of widespread terrorist and criminal activity.  Militants associated with both the al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group, al-Shabaab, and the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) operate with relative impunity throughout large parts of the country, including Mogadishu, and attack civilian, military, and government targets. U.S. citizens should be aware that kidnapping, bombings, murder, illegal roadblocks and other violent incidents are common throughout Somalia, including Somaliland. There is no U.S. …

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August 7, 2017

Travel Alert – North Korea/the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)

The Secretary of State published a Notice on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 that will restrict the use of U.S. passports to travel into, in, or through North Korea/the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), effective Friday, September 1, 2017.  The Secretary has authorized the restriction due to the serious and mounting risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. citizens under North Korea’s system of law enforcement. Persons who wish to travel to North Korea on a U.S. passport must …

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July 5, 2017

March of Justice Approaches Istanbul

Members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and their supporters are scheduled to arrive in Istanbul on or around July 9, after a 250-mile protest march, that started in Ankara on June 15. The self-proclaimed March for Justice is being led by Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of CHP, and according to media reports, as many as 10,000 people have joined in recent days. The march is taking place during a politically charged time – there is an ongoing state of emergency …

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June 4, 2017

London Attacks – What we know so far

A van has struck pedestrians on London Bridge in central London leaving a number of casualties, including fatalities. Police have declared a “terrorist incident” there and at nearby Borough Market amid reports of stabbings. Armed police and ambulances were called to reports of a white van hitting several people on London Bridge at approximately 22:08 BST on Saturday. Witness reports say the van mounted the pavement of the bridge. Police have said there has been “more than one” person killed …

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June 1, 2017

Personal Security Awareness During Ramadan

This is to serve as a reminder to all U.S. citizens in Indonesia that traffic accidents and incidents of crime tend to increase during the month of Ramadan and the subsequent Idul Fitri holiday period. Please keep the following points in mind: Practice good situational awareness; remain actively aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded streets and shopping areas. Vary your routes and times so as not to be time or place predictable. Always carry a cell phone as a …

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