The US State Department has advised US citizens not to travel to Afghanistan, due to terrorism, the risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime. The agency announced this warning in a statement on Monday.
The statement emphasised that there is a risk of wrongful detention of US citizens by the Taliban and that US citizens who are in Afghanistan should immediately depart via commercial means if possible.
The US State Department warned its citizens that even if they want to travel to Afghanistan for business, the risk of being wrongfully detained by the Taliban is high.
According to the assessment of this department, several terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan and US citizens are the target of kidnapping and illegal detention.
It added, "The Taliban have harassed and detained aid and humanitarian workers. The activities of foreigners may be viewed with suspicion, and reasons for detention may be unclear.”
The Taliban does not permit the US to check the welfare of detained US citizens in detention, including over the phone. The US State Department added that these detentions may be long and US citizens may have limited access to medical care or may be physically abused while detained.
According to the statement, even though the US’ ability to help its citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited, they can contact any US embassy or consulate outside Afghanistan for assistance, if needed.
However, following the Taliban’s takeover of power in 2021, the US Embassy in Kabul suspended its operations, and the US government is unable to provide emergency consular services to its citizens in Afghanistan.
