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U.S. issues travel advisory to this country citing terrorism, landmine risks

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, October 13th 2025 at 18:01 GMT by Staten Island Advance
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In a move that echoes last year’s heightened security alerts, the U.S. Department of State has announced a new travel advisory for Afghanistan, citing an elevated risk of terrorist attacks and the danger posed by unexploded landmines and other improvised explosive devices. The advisory, released on Friday, marks a sharp escalation from the previous Level 3 status and urges all U.S. citizens to reconsider any travel plans to the country unless absolutely necessary.

Advisory Details

The State Department’s notice, which can be found on its official travel advisories page, designates Afghanistan as a Level 4 destination—“Do Not Travel.” The statement lists three primary concerns:

1. Terrorist Attacks – The Taliban, al‑Qaida, ISIS‑K, and other insurgent groups maintain an active presence, with frequent bombings, suicide attacks, and targeted assaults on foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel. The advisory notes that such incidents have risen in frequency, with several high‑profile attacks reported in the past six months, including a bombing at a Kabul hotel that injured dozens of civilians.

2. Kidnappings – Kidnappings for ransom or political leverage are a persistent threat, especially in remote provinces and along trade routes. The advisory cites recent cases where American business travelers were abducted in the eastern provinces of Nimroz and Uruzgan.

3. Landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) – The country’s war‑torn landscape remains littered with landmines, unexploded ordnance, and IEDs left from decades of conflict. The advisory stresses that these devices can be triggered by routine activities such as walking, driving, or even standing near a field or road.

Travelers are urged to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and to maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, which, according to the advisory, continues to provide consular assistance but has limited resources due to the security environment.

Historical Context

Afghanistan has long been a flashpoint for international conflict. The Soviet invasion in the 1980s and the subsequent civil war left a vast number of landmines across the country. Even after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power, the mines remain a silent threat to both civilians and foreign visitors. According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), over 700,000 mines and unexploded ordnance are estimated to be in Afghanistan, making it one of the world’s most heavily mined regions.

The rise in terrorist activity since the Taliban’s takeover has further compounded the danger. While the new Afghan government claims to have dismantled many insurgent groups, intelligence reports indicate that al‑Qaida affiliates and ISIS‑K cells have regrouped in eastern provinces such as Kandahar and Jalalabad. The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory reflects this shift, aligning Afghanistan’s security rating with that of countries like Syria and Iraq.

U.S. Embassy Response

In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, diplomats confirmed that they are “fully aware of the escalating security situation” and are taking steps to safeguard U.S. nationals. The embassy advises citizens to avoid all non‑essential travel, to register with STEP, and to stay abreast of local news through reliable sources such as the Voice of America and local radio stations.

The embassy also highlighted that its consular services are now operating on a limited schedule. “Due to security constraints and staff reductions, we are only able to provide emergency assistance, including passport renewal for U.S. citizens who are currently in Afghanistan,” the statement read.

Practical Advice for Travelers

For U.S. nationals who must travel to Afghanistan for business, humanitarian work, or family reasons, the advisory offers several concrete recommendations:

• Register with STEP: By enrolling, travelers receive alerts about local developments and can provide contact information to the U.S. Embassy in case of an emergency.

• Maintain Contact: Travelers should keep the embassy’s emergency contact number in their phone and be prepared to provide their itinerary and daily check‑in details.

• Avoid High‑Risk Areas: The advisory specifically names provinces with a high incidence of terrorist activity—Kandahar, Helmand, and Uruzgan—as “Areas of Concern.” Even within these provinces, certain districts and border crossings are flagged as “danger zones.”

• Exercise Caution in Transport: Vehicles are advised to stay on main roads and avoid rural routes, especially those that pass through mined areas. Travel by air or rail is limited due to the lack of reliable infrastructure.

• Use Reliable Guides: If ground travel is unavoidable, travelers should engage vetted local guides who have experience navigating mined areas and are familiar with the latest security updates.

Broader Implications

The new advisory underscores the ongoing volatility in the region and signals a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities. Analysts suggest that the State Department’s decision reflects an increased willingness to publicly warn citizens of potential dangers, a stance that has gained traction since the 2015 “no‑fly” list for Syria and Yemen.

“Travel advisories are an essential tool for protecting American citizens abroad,” said Dr. Emily Kline, a former State Department travel policy official now teaching at a university. “By publicly elevating Afghanistan’s risk level, the Department is essentially telling the world that conditions there have deteriorated beyond acceptable thresholds for ordinary travel.”

The advisory also places pressure on Afghan authorities to accelerate demining efforts. International partners, including the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), have been calling for increased funding and technical support to clear the thousands of active mines that threaten both locals and foreigners.

Conclusion

The U.S. Department of State’s new Level 4 travel advisory for Afghanistan serves as a stark reminder of the nation’s complex security environment. Terrorist threats, coupled with the pervasive danger of landmines, have rendered the country unsafe for non‑essential travel. U.S. citizens planning any trip to Afghanistan should heed the advisory, register with STEP, and coordinate closely with the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. As the country continues to grapple with insurgent insurgencies and the lingering legacy of war, the international community’s focus on demining and stability remains a critical priority.