VZCZCXRO3906
OO RUEHAG RUEHAO RUEHAP RUEHAT RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHBL RUEHBZ RUEHCD
RUEHCHI RUEHCI RUEHCN RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHDU RUEHED RUEHEL
RUEHFK RUEHFL RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGH RUEHGI RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHM RUEHHO
RUEHHT RUEHIHL RUEHIK RUEHJO RUEHJS RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHKSO RUEHKUK
RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMC RUEHMJ RUEHMR RUEHMRE
RUEHMT RUEHNAG RUEHNG RUEHNH RUEHNL RUEHNP RUEHNZ RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHPD
RUEHPOD RUEHPT RUEHPW RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHRS
RUEHTM RUEHTRO RUEHVC RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHC #3913/01 2982257
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 242252Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA 7054
RUCPDOC/ALL USDOC DISTDIR COLLECTIVE WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/CDRAMC FT BELVOIR VA//AMCMI-SS//
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOXXI//
RHMCSUU/HQ AFOSI DOQ ANDREWS AFB MD//IVOA//
RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC//ACI-400//
RHMCSUU/COMNAVAIRSYSCOM PATUXENT RIVER MD//AIR1031B//
RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC//INFOSEC//
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2-JIT//
RUCPCIM/CIM NTDB WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 3729
INFO RUESBKC/ATO ASIA IMMEDIATE 1745
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 113913
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC KPAO PTER PREL KE AF
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - SOMALIA
1. This Travel Warning updates information on the
unsettled security situation and warns American
citizens against travel to Somalia. This
supersedes the Travel Warning of May 20, 2008.
2. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens
against all travel to Somalia, including the self-
proclaimed "Republic of Somaliland," since there is
no U.S. Embassy or other U.S. diplomatic presence
in Somalia. Consequently, the U.S. Government is
not in a position to assist or effectively provide
services to U.S. citizens in Somalia.
3. Terrorist operatives and armed groups in
Somalia have demonstrated their intent and
capability to attack air operations at Mogadishu
International Airport. Kidnapping, murder, illegal
roadblocks, banditry, and other violent incidents
and threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners
can occur in many regions. Inter-clan and inter-
factional fighting flares up with little or no
warning. Unpredictable armed conflicts among rival
militias are prevalent in southern Somalia,
particularly in and around Mogadishu, which has
resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Somali
nationals and the displacement of nearly one
million people. In December 2006, Ethiopian
military forces entered Somalia in support of the
Somali Transitional Federal Government. The
continuing Ethiopian military presence and support
for the Transitional Federal Government has
heightened tensions among rival political and clan
factions within Somalia.
4. The Sanaag and Sool Regions in eastern
Somaliland, bordering on Puntland (northeastern
Somalia), are subject to insecurity due to ongoing
border disputes and inter-clan fighting. There
also have been several fatal attacks and violent
kidnappings against international relief workers,
including Westerners, throughout Somalia,
Somaliland, and Puntland. Lines of control in
Mogadishu are unclear and frequently shift, making
movement within this area extremely hazardous.
Violent riots have recently occurred in Mogadishu,
as thousands of civilians protested rising food
prices and the devaluation of the Somali currency.
5. Recently, insurgents and extremist elements
opposed to the Somali government conducted hit-and-
run attacks on several towns in central and
southern Somalia, to include the districts of Gedo
and Bay (especially the vicinity of Baidoa) in the
south.
6. U.S. citizens also are urged to use extreme
caution when sailing near the coast of Somalia.
Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and recreational
craft all risk seizure by pirates and having their
crews held for ransom in the waters off the Horn of
Africa, most especially in the international waters
near Somalia. There have been numerous such
incidents, highlighting the continuing danger of
maritime travel near the Horn of Africa. If
transit around the Horn of Africa is necessary, it
is strongly recommended that vessels travel in
convoys, and maintain good communications contact
at all times.
7. U.S. citizens who travel to Somalia despite
this Travel Warning are urged to register through
the State Department's travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov and obtain
updated information on travel and security from the
U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries. Travelers
to the self-declared "Republic of Somaliland"
should register with the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti,
and travelers to Puntland or southern Somalia
STATE 00113913 002 OF 002
should register with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
8. The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti is located at
Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre,
Djibouti City; telephone (253) 35-39-95; after-
hours telephone number (253) 35-13-43. The mailing
address is Ambassade Americaine, B.P. 185,
Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti, and their
workweek is Sunday through Thursday. The U.S.
Embassy in Nairobi is located on United Nations
Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20)
363-6000; after-hours emergencies (254)(20) 363-
6170. The mailing address is P.O. Box 606 Village
Market 00621, Nairobi, Kenya.
9. U.S. citizens should also consult the
Department of State's Country Specific Information
for Somalia and the Worldwide Caution, which are
located on the Department's internet website at
http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may
obtain up-to-date information on security
conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in
the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from
overseas.
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED
RICE