Travel to Yemen

[LostLuggageTales]

Here's the State Department's latest on travel to Yemen:

August 20, 2003

This Travel Warning is being issued to update security information for Yemen. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Yemen. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on May 23, 2003.

The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Yemen remains high due to continuing efforts by Al-Qa’ida to re-constitute an effective operating base. This could lead to possible attacks by extremist individuals or groups against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses and perceived interests. 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, who can be contacted by telephone at 967-1-303-155.

U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Yemen despite this warning should register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) in order to obtain updated information on travel and security in Yemen. U.S. citizens in Yemen should exercise caution and take prudent measures to maintain their security. Maintain a high level of vigilance, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure travel documents are current.

The Embassy in Sanaa advises American citizens in Yemen to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners, such as the Sanaa Trade Center, American-affiliated franchises, restaurants and shops in the Haddah area in Sanaa and in Aden and elsewhere, at restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates. 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.

[tegan_lala]

Ages ago I read about a group of kitesurfers who went through Yemen. It sounded safe enough if you have a travel guide type of person who can take you through the area to your destination. The article was saying it used to have tourists so now they are very friendly to get them back or something.... I hope i have that right.. anyways they travelled to some pretty place on the bay with small islands i think. You can take sailing trips pretty cheap too they said.