US Issues Travel Warning for Afghanistan - East Idaho News
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US Issues Travel Warning for Afghanistan

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Getty 022014 KabulTravelSign?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1392937621435iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. State Department issued updates to a travel warning for Afghanistan on Thursday, indicating the ongoing threat to American citizens and referring to previous attacks during the first months of 2014.

The statement calls the security threat “critical,” and explains that no province in Afghanistan is immune from violence, particularly toward U.S. and other foreign nationals. Citizens with protective security details or with Afghan and coalition security forces are also at risk.

Kabul remains on high alert for militant attacks. In January, suicide bombers and gunmen targeted a popular restaurant frequented by foreign nationals, killing 21 people, including three U.S. citizens. The restaurant was located in what was considered a safer neighborhood of Kabul, according to the State Department.

Officials also warn citizens against rallies and demonstrations, as they pose high risk of violence and tensions. Even those involved in business are at risk, with U.S. citizens representing foreign interests in property or contract disputes reporting that they’ve had their lives threatened or have been held captive while awaiting payout.

U.S. government personnel in Afghanistan work under restrictions that prohibit them from travelling outside the embassy or other U.S. government facilities.

The warnings comes after the Department of Homeland Security alerted the U.S. and other airlines of the continuing concerns over explosives in shoes and other bomb-packed items.

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