Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Increased Threat of Kidnapping

December 23, 2012.

The U.S. Embassy wishes to remind all U.S. citizens of the high risk of kidnapping throughout Yemen.  As reported in local and international media, three Westerners were abducted on December 21, 2012 in the Tahrir Square area of Sana’a, a governmental and commercial center.

At this time, the Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens not to travel to Yemen.  U.S. citizens in Yemen should depart.  U.S. citizens remaining in Yemen 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, reviewing personal security plans, and making contingency emergency plans such as ensuring travel documents are current.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Yemen enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at  https://step.state.gov/step.  STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Please regularly monitor the State Department's website at http://travel.state.gov, where you can find current Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Yemen, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution.  Read the Country Specific Information for Yemen at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html.  For additional information, refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad"on the State Department's website.

You can also contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.  Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Follow us on Twitter at https://mobile.twitter.com/travelgovand Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/travelgov, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smarttraveler/id442693988?mt=8 to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Sana'a 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 2108 or 2266.  For after-hours emergencies, please call (967) (1) 755-2000 (press zero for extension) or (967) 733-213-509.