- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Afghanistan
When travelling to Afghanistan, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Afghanistan.
| Afghanistan overall | This Advice is current for Friday, 22 August 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (heightened security concerns and attacks near Kabul in August 2008, travel at night). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
[top]Summary
- We strongly advise you not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation and the very high threat of terrorist attack.
- If you are in Afghanistan, you should consider leaving. Australians who decide to remain in Afghanistan should ensure that they have personal security measures in place.
- There have been an increase in insurgent activity in the Kabul area and heightened security concerns following a series of attacks in August 2008.
- Serious terrorist incidents, including suicide bombings and the detonation of improvised explosive devices, occur regularly in Afghanistan, including in Kabul and Kandahar. Further attacks are expected.
- The Afghan Government has named a number of potential terrorist targets facing heightened threat of attack. See the Terrorism section for details.
- We continue to receive a stream of reporting indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets including places frequented by foreigners. These reports include threats against identifiably Western institutions, organisations and individuals and information about a potentially heightened threat of attack on days of national significance. Possible terrorist targets include commercial and public areas such as hotels, restaurants, clubs, marketplaces and Kabul airport and non-governmental organisation (NGO) premises. Multinational forces, multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations, Western embassies and Afghan government buildings and political figures are also targets for attack.
- In January 2008, terrorists attacked the Serena Hotel in Kabul. Credible reporting indicates there is a renewed and ongoing terrorist threat to the Serena Hotel. Australians are strongly advised to continue to avoid the Serena Hotel and its surrounds at this time. Unconfirmed sources have indicated that terrorists are planning to target the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. Recent credible information indicates that terrorists may be planning to attack another major hotel in Kabul.
- We continue to receive a stream of credible reporting indicating that terrorists are planning attacks along roads in and around Kabul. You should avoid non-essential road travel in Kabul City and avoid travelling on Jalalabad and Airport (Great Massoud) roads due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. Australian government officials are advised not to travel on Jalalabad and Airport roads unless essential.
- Due to a deterioration in security in the provinces surrounding Kabul, travel by road from Kabul by foreigners, including Australians, has been restricted by the Afghan government to those with armed security. You should only travel in secure transport with close protection, using reputable local drivers and guides.
- There is a continuing high threat of kidnapping against Westerners, including journalists and those working for NGOs and international organisations. During 2007, there were more than 160 incidents of kidnap in Afghanistan. Many involved foreign nationals. Westerners are expected to continue to be targeted.
- Unexploded landmines and other ordnance are a danger throughout Afghanistan.
- Demonstrations resulting in deaths and injuries have occurred in Kabul. You should avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and minor disputes as they could escalate and turn violent.
- Security arrangements for Australian Embassy staff in Kabul are at a high level at all times and staff have been instructed to avoid all non-essential local movement at this time. The Embassy has been closed to the public since October 2007 due to security concerns. The provision of consular services to Australians in Afghanistan may be severely restricted due to the safety and security environment. See Where to Get Help for further information.
- We strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
