Travel Warnings and Warden Messages
End of Ordered Departure
August 16, 2008
This warden message is being issued to inform American citizens that on August 11, 2008, the Department of State lifted the ordered departure status of non-emergency American employees and adult family members of all employees at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen. The Department recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen. American citizens remaining in Yemen should monitor the U.S. Embassy website at http://yemen.usembassy.gov and should make contingency emergency plans.
The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen at this time. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen. Embassy employees have been advised to exercise caution when choosing restaurants, hotels or visiting tourist areas in Sanaa in order to avoid large gatherings of foreigners and expatriates. In addition, unofficial travel outside of the capital is not authorized at this time.
U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Yemen 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 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). In case of an emergency, if these regular numbers do not work, please call 967-733213509.
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 Travel Warning for Yemen, the Country Specific Information for Yemen, and the Worldwide Caution on the Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov