Embassy of the United States

1.  The Department of State has issued this Worldwide
Caution to update information on the continuing threat
of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens
and interests throughout the world.  U.S. citizens are
reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to
take appropriate steps to increase their security
awareness.  This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated
January 31, 2011, to provide updated information on
security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.

2.  The Department of State remains concerned about the
continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations,
and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and
interests overseas.  The Department of State believes
there is an enhanced potential for anti-American
violence given the death of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011.
Current information suggests that Al-Qa'ida and
affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist
attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions,
including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics
including suicide operations, assassinations,
kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.

3.  Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-
conventional weapons, and target both official and
private interests.  Examples of such targets include
high-profile sporting events, residential areas,
business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of
worship, schools, public areas, and other tourist
destinations both in the United States and abroad where
U.S. citizens gather in large numbers, including during
holidays.

4.  U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for
terrorists to attack public transportation systems and
other tourist infrastructure.  Extremists have targeted
and attempted attacks on subway and rail systems,
aviation, and maritime services.  In the past several
years, these types of attacks have occurred in cities
such as Moscow, London, Madrid, Glasgow, and New York
City.

5.  EUROPE:  Current information suggests that Al-Qa'ida
and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist
attacks against U.S. and Western interests in Europe.
European governments have taken action to guard against
terrorist attack, and some have spoken publicly about
the heightened threat conditions.  In the past several
years, attacks have been planned or occurred in various
European cities.

6.  MIDDLE EAST and NORTH AFRICA:  Credible information
indicates terrorist groups also seek to continue attacks
against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North
Africa.  For example, Iraq remains dangerous and
unpredictable.  Attacks against military and civilian
targets throughout Iraq continue.  Methods of attack
have included roadside improvised explosive devices,
mortars, and shootings; kidnappings still occur as well.
Security threat levels remain high in Yemen due to
terrorist activities there.  The U.S. Embassy has had to
close several times in response to ongoing threats by
Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).  U.S.
citizens as well as other Westerners have been targeted
for attack in Yemen.  U.S. citizens have also been the
targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the
past (though none recently) and the threat of anti-
Western terrorist activity continues to exist there.  In
Algeria, terrorist attacks occur regularly, particularly
in the Kabylie region of the country.  In the past,
terrorists have targeted oil processing facilities in
both Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

7.  The events of the last few months in many countries
in the Middle East, including Egypt, Libya, Yemen,
Bahrain, and Syria, have resulted in civil unrest and
large-scale protests and demonstrations.  The situation
in Libya remains volatile and dangerous and the threat
of violent military and terrorist operations remains
high, even in opposition-controlled areas.  U.S.
citizens are warned that demonstrations intended to be
peaceful can escalate into violent clashes.  U.S.
citizens are reminded that demonstrations and riots can
occur with little or no warning.  U.S. citizens are
urged to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible and
to exercise caution if within the vicinity of a
demonstration.

8.  AFRICA:  A number of Al-Qa'ida operatives and other
extremists are believed to be operating in and around
Africa.  Since the July 11, 2010 terrorist bombings in
Kampala, Uganda, for which the Somalia-based, U.S.-
designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab has
claimed responsibility, there have been increased
threats against public areas across East Africa.  The
terrorist attacks of August and September 2010 against
the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African
Union (AU) peacekeeping forces in Somalia, as well as
the bombing of hotels and minibuses in Somalia,
highlight the vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks in
East Africa and around the world.  Additionally, the
terrorist group Al-Qa'ida in the Lands of the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM) has declared its intention to attack
Western targets throughout the Sahel (which includes
Mali, Mauritania, and Niger).  It has claimed
responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnappings,
and the murder of several Westerners throughout the
region, including southern Algeria.

9.  U.S. citizens considering travel by sea near the
Horn of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should
exercise extreme caution, as there has been a notable
increase in armed attacks, robberies, and kidnappings
for ransom by pirates.  Merchant vessels continue to be
hijacked in Somali territorial waters, while others have
been hijacked as far as 1,000 nautical miles off the
coast of Somalia, Yemen, and Kenya in international
waters.

10.  The U.S. government maritime authorities advise
mariners to avoid the port of Mogadishu and to remain at
least 200 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.  In
addition, when transiting around the Horn of Africa or
in the Red Sea, it is strongly recommended that vessels
travel in convoys and maintain good communications at
all times.  U.S. citizens traveling on commercial
passenger vessels should consult with the shipping or
cruise-ship company regarding precautions that will be
taken to avoid hijacking incidents.  Commercial vessels
should review the Department of Transportation Maritime
Administration's suggested piracy countermeasures for
vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden, which can be found
at http://www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/ horn_of_africa_piracy/horn_of_africa_piracy.htm.

11.  SOUTH ASIA:  The U.S. government continues to
receive information that terrorist groups in South and
Central Asia may also be planning attacks in the region,
possibly against U.S. government facilities, U.S.
citizens, or U.S. interests.  The presence of Al-Qa'ida
and its affiliates [Taliban elements, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba,
indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror
organizations, many of which are on the U.S.
government's list of Foreign Terror Organizations
(FTOs), poses a potential danger to U.S. citizens in the
region.  Terrorists and their sympathizers have
demonstrated their willingness and ability to attack
targets where U.S. citizens or Westerners are known to
congregate or visit.  Their actions may include, but are
not limited to, vehicle-born explosive attacks,
improvised explosive device attacks, assassinations,
carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults, or kidnappings.

12.  Such attacks have occurred in a number of South
Asian states, including Pakistan, where a number of
extremist groups continue to target U.S. and other
Western citizens and interests, and Pakistani government
and military/law enforcement personnel.  Suicide bombing
attacks continue to occur throughout the country on a
regular basis, often targeting government authorities
such as police checkpoints and military installations,
as well as public areas such as mosques, and shopping
areas.  In Afghanistan, remnants of the former Taliban
regime and the Al-Qa'ida terrorist network, as well as
other groups hostile to International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF)/NATO military operations, remain
active.  There is an ongoing threat of kidnapping and
assassination of U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country.
There is an increased threat of terrorism in India.
Terrorists have targeted public places in India
frequented by Westerners, including luxury and other
hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas,
mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas.

13.  CENTRAL ASIA:  Supporters of terrorist groups such
as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Al-Qa'ida, the
Islamic Jihad Union, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic
Movement are active in the Central Asian region.
Members of these groups have expressed anti-U.S.
sentiments and attacked U.S. government interests in the
past.  Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central
Asia have involved improvised explosive devices, suicide
bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings.

-------------
Before You Go
-------------

14.  The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens
living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll
in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  When
you enroll in STEP, we can keep you up to date with
important safety and security announcements.  Enrolling
will also make it easier for the Embassy to contact you
in the event of an emergency.  You should remember to
keep all of your information in STEP up to date; it is
particularly important when you enroll or update your
information to include a current phone number and e-mail
address.

15.  U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a
high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and
take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal
security.  For additional information, please refer to
"A Safe Trip Abroad" on our website,
http://travel.state.gov/.

16.  U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a
heightened state of alert.  These facilities may
temporarily close or periodically suspend public
services to assess their security posture.  In those
instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every
effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.
U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news
and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.

17.  As the Department of State continues to develop
information on potential security threats to U.S.
citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information
through its Consular Information Program documents, such
as Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, Country Information,
and country specific Messages and Emergency Messages,
all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular
Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/.  Stay up to
date by bookmarking our website or downloading our free
Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your
fingertips.  Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of
Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

18.  In addition to information on the internet,
travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security
conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the
United States and Canada or, from other countries, on a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are
available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday,
Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays).