AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
Worldwide Caution
January 2008
1. This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated October 9, 2007.
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. Current information suggests that
al-Qaida 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 locales where
Americans gather in large numbers, including during
holidays. In August 2007, two bombs exploded almost
simultaneously at an amusement park and a restaurant in
India, killing at least 42 people. In June 2007, two
unexploded car bombs were discovered in London.
4. Americans are reminded of the potential for
terrorists to attack public transportation systems.
Recent examples include multiple terrorist attacks on
trains in India in 2006, the July 2005 London
Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train attacks
in Madrid. In addition, extremists may also select
aviation and maritime services as possible targets, such
as the August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, or
the December 2006 bomb at Madrid's Barajas International
Airport. In June 2007, a vehicle was driven into the
main terminal at Glasgow International Airport and burst
into flames, but the bomb failed to detonate.
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The Middle East and North Africa
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5. Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek
to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle
East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include
bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and
assassinations. While conventional weapons such as
explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many
areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including
chemical or biological agents, must be considered a
possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between
official and civilian targets. Increased security at
official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their
sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public
transportation, residential areas, and public areas
where people congregate, including restaurants, hotels,
clubs, and shopping areas.
6. On December 11, 2007, two vehicle-borne explosive
devices were detonated at the UN headquarters in Algiers
and the Algerian Constitutional Council. Three other
suicide bomb attacks in July and September of 2007 in
Algeria killed more than 80 people. In July 2007,
suspected al-Qaida operatives carried out a vehicle-
borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Bilquis
Temple in Yemen, which resulted in the deaths of eight
Spanish tourists and their two Yemeni drivers. There
was a series of bombings in Morocco in March and April
2007, two of which occurred simultaneously outside the
U.S. Consulate General and the private American Language
Center in Casablanca. Additionally, an attack took
place on the American International School in Gaza in
April 2007. These events underscore the intent of
terrorist entities to target facilities perceived to
cater to Westerners. The September 2006 attack on the
U.S. embassy in Syria and the March 2006 bombing near
the U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan illustrate the
continuing desire of extremists to strike American
targets.
7. Potential targets are not limited to those companies
or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance,
terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores,
bars, casinos, or any similar type of establishment,
regardless of whether they are owned and operated by
host country nationals. Due to varying degrees of
security at all such locations, Americans should be
particularly vigilant when visiting these
establishments.
8. The violence in Iraq, clashes between Palestinians
and Israelis, clashes between terrorist extremists and
the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the violence in Pakistan
following the assassination of former Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007 have the potential
to produce demonstrations and unrest throughout the
region. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and
rioting can occur with little or no warning. In
addition, the Department of State continues to warn of
the possibility for violent actions against U.S.
citizens and interests in the region. Anti-American
violence could include possible terrorist actions
against aviation, ground transportation, and maritime
interests, specifically in the Middle East, including
the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula, and
North Africa.
9. The department is concerned that extremists may be
planning to carry out attacks against westerners and oil
workers on the Arabian peninsula. Armed attacks
targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that
resulted in many deaths and injuries, including U.S.
citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive
surveillance. Tourist destinations in Egypt that are
frequented by westerners were attacked in April 2006
resulting in many deaths and injuries, including
Americans. Extremists may be surveilling westerners,
particularly at hotels, housing areas, and rental car
facilities. Potential targets may include U.S.
contractors, particularly those related to military
interests. Financial or economic venues of value also
could be considered as possible targets; the failed
attack on the Abqaiq Oil processing facility in Saudi
Arabia in late February 2006 and the September 2006
attack on oil facilities in Yemen are examples.
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East Africa
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10. A number of al-Qaida operatives and other
extremists are believed to be operating in and around
East Africa. As a result of the conflict in Somalia,
some of these individuals may seek to relocate elsewhere
in the region. Americans considering travel to the
region and those already there should review their plans
carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal
security, and exercise caution. Terrorist actions may
include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings or
targeting maritime vessels. Terrorists do not
distinguish between official and civilian targets.
Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led
terrorists to seek softer targets such as hotels, beach
resorts, prominent public places, and landmarks. In
particular, terrorists may target civil aviation and
seaports. Americans in remote areas or border regions
where military or police authority is limited or non-
existent could also become targets.
11. Americans considering seaborne travel near the Horn
of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise
extreme caution, as there have been several incidents of
armed attacks, robberies, and kidnappings for ransom at
sea by pirates during the past several years. Merchant
vessels continue to be hijacked in Somali territorial
waters, while others have been hijacked as far as 200
nautical miles off the coast of Somalia in international
waters.
12. 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 contact at all times.
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Central Asia
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13. The U.S. Government continues to receive
information that terrorist groups in Central Asia may be
planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S.
Government facilities, American citizens, or American
interests. Elements and supporters of extremist groups
present in Central Asia, including the Islamic Jihad
Union (IJU), al-Qaida, the Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan (IMU), and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic
Movement, have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments in the
past and have demonstrated the capability to conduct
terrorist operations in the region. Previous terrorist
attacks conducted in Central Asia have involved
improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers and
have targeted public areas, such as markets, local
government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and
Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan. In addition, hostage-
takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-
Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas.
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Before You Go
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14. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are
encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate through the State Department's travel
registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
so that they can obtain updated information on travel and
security. Americans without Internet access may
register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it
easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in
case of emergency.
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" found at http://travel.state.gov.
15. 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.
Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and
maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.
16. As the Department continues to develop information
on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens
overseas, it shares credible threat information through
its Consular Information Program documents, available on
the Internet athttp://travel.state.gov. 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 U.S. and Canada or,
outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-
202-501-4444.
