US warns its nationals not to travel to Afghanistan

The US Department of State urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Afghanistan “due to terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime.”

Since the political change in August 2021, the US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is not able to provide “any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan.”

“Multiple terrorist groups are active in the country and US citizens are targets of kidnapping and wrongful detentions,” the statement said. “The Department has assessed that there is a risk of wrongful detention of US citizens by the Taliban [IEA].”

The statement claims that the “Taliban have harassed and detained aid and humanitarian workers.”

It also added that the activities of foreigners may be viewed with suspicion, and reasons for detention may be unclear.

“Even if you are registered with the appropriate authorities to conduct business, the risk of detention is high,” the statement added.

The Department of State also urged US citizens who are in Afghanistan to depart immediately via commercial means “if possible.”

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that such statements are based on incorrect information and that Afghanistan is safe and there is no threat to foreign nationals.

Mujahid said that over the past year, 80,000 foreign citizens have entered Afghanistan through airports, and none of them have been threatened.

IEA also said that security has been provided in Afghanistan more so now than ever before.