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O 232226Z APR 09
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RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 6942

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 041097 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC YM
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING ? YEMEN 
 
¶1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high 
security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities. 
The Department recommends that American citizens defer non- 
essential travel to Yemen.  American citizens remaining in 
Yemen despite this warning should monitor the U.S. Embassy 
website and should make contingency emergency plans.  This 
replaces the Travel Warning for Yemen issued March 24, 
2009, to update information on piracy and travel through 
the Gulf of Aden. 
¶2. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist 
activities in Yemen.  On the morning of September 17, 2008 
armed terrorists attacked the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, 
Yemen.  A number of explosions occurred in the vicinity of 
the Embassy's main gate.  Several Yemeni security personnel 
and one Embassy security guard were killed, as were a few 
individuals waiting to gain entry to the Embassy, one of 
whom was a U.S. citizen. 
¶3. U.S. Embassy employees have been advised to exercise 
caution when choosing restaurants, hotels or visiting 
tourist areas in Sana'a in order to avoid large gatherings 
of foreigners and expatriates.  Only limited travel outside 
of the capital is authorized at this time. 
 
¶4. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Yemen despite 
this warning should exercise caution and take prudent 
security measures, including maintaining a high level of 
vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a 
low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and 
ensuring travel documents are current.  American citizens 
in Yemen are advised to exercise particular caution at 
locations frequented by foreigners countrywide, including 
restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates.  From 
time to time, the Embassy may restrict official Americans 
from restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas.  The 
Department of State strongly encourages American citizens 
to consult the most recent Warden Messages on the U.S. 
Embassy Website to get up-to-date information on security 
conditions.  Americans who believe they are being followed 
or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed 
as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or 
major intersection and request assistance from the officers 
in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there. 
 
¶5. The Department remains concerned about possible attacks 
by extremist individuals or groups against U.S. citizens, 
facilities, businesses, and perceived interests.  On March 
15, 2009, four South Korean tourists were killed in a 
suicide bomb attack in the city of Shibam in southern 
Hadramout province.  On March 18, 2009, a South Korean 
motorcade was attacked by a suicide bomber near Sana'a 
International Airport.  On January 17, 2008, suspected al- 
Qa'ida operatives ambushed a tourist convoy in the eastern 
Hadramout Governorate, killing two Belgians.  On July 2, 
2007, suspected al-Qa'ida operatives carried out a vehicle- 
borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Belquis 
Temple in Marib, which resulted in the deaths of eight 
Spanish tourists and two Yemenis.  The targeting of tourist 
sites by al-Qa'ida may represent an escalation in terror 
tactics in Yemen.  On February 3, 2006, 23 convicts, 
including known affiliates of al-Qa'ida, escaped from a 
high-security prison in Sanaa, some of whom remain at 
large.  Two of the escapees were killed in vehicle-based 
suicide attacks on oil facilities near Mukalla and Marib on 
September 15, 2006.  Those attacks were followed by the 
arrest the next day in Sanaa of four suspected al Qa'ida 
operatives, who had stockpiled explosives and weapons. 
 
¶6. The Government of Yemen has been battling al Houthi 
rebels in and around the northern governorate of Saada 
intermittently since 2004.  While foreigners have not been 
targeted, hundreds of soldiers and civilians have been 
killed in the violence.  U.S. citizens traveling in Yemen 
 
STATE 00041097  002 OF 002 
 
 
should be aware that local authorities occasionally place 
restrictions on the travel of foreigners to parts of the 
country experiencing unrest.  In addition, the U.S. Embassy 
itself often restricts travel of official personnel to the 
tribal areas north and east of Sanaa, such as the 
governorates of Amran, Al Jawf, Hajja, Marib, Saada, and 
Shabwa.  Travelers should be in contact with the Embassy 
for up-to-date information on such restrictions. 
¶7. Travel by boat through the Red Sea or near the Socotra 
Islands in the Gulf of Aden presents the risk of pirate 
attacks. Since the beginning of 2009, 40 vessels reportedly 
have been attacked and 23 vessels seized in the area.  In 
some cases, crew members were held for ransom.  Following 
the April 2009 hijacking of a U.S. cargo vessel and the 
subsequent rescue of the vessel's captain, resulting in the 
deaths of three pirates, Somali pirates threatened to 
retaliate against American citizens transiting the region. 
The threat of piracy extends into the Indian Ocean off the 
coast of the Horn of Africa as well. See our International 
Maritime Piracy Fact Sheet. 
 
¶8. U.S. citizens should register at the Consular Section of 
the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa and enroll in the warden system 
(emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on 
travel and security in Yemen.  This can be done online 
prior to arrival in Yemen at the State Department's 
registration web page. 
 
¶9. The U.S. Embassy is located at Dhahr Himyar Zone, 
Sheraton Hotel District, P.O. Box 22347.  The telephone 
number of the Consular Section is (967) (1) 755-2000, 
extension 2153 or 2266.  The fax number is (967) (1) 303- 
¶175.  The after-hours emergency number is (967) (1) 755- 
2000 (press zero for extension) or (967) 733 213 509.  From 
time to time the Embassy may temporarily close or suspend 
public services for security reasons.  Emergency assistance 
to U.S. citizens during non-business hours (or when public 
access is restricted) is available through Embassy duty 
personnel. 
¶10. Current information on travel and security in Yemen may be 
obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407- 
4747 within the United States and Canada or, from outside the 
United States and Canada, 1-202-501-4444.  U.S. citizens 
should consult the Country Specific Information for Yemen and 
the Worldwide Caution on the State Department's Internet site. 
Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be 
viewed at the U.S. Embassy Sanaa's American Citizens Services 
web page. 
 
 
¶11. Minimize considered. 
CLINTON