Terror threat looming in anti-India Yunus-led Bangladesh? US issues travel advisory, warns citizens of…

The State Department has issued a US travel advisory, urging American citizens to reconsider travelling to Bangladesh citing the threat of civil unrest, crime and terrorism in the South Asian country.

US Travel Advisory: Its no secret that law and order situation in Bangladesh has severely eroded in recent months as radical Islamist elements reared their head following the ouster of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and an interim government helmed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus taking the reins in August last year.

In a recent development, the United States State Department has issued a travel advisory, urging American citizens to reconsider travelling to Bangladesh citing the threat of civil unrest, crime and terrorism in the South Asian country. As per the updated travel advisory issued on April 18 (US time), a ‘Level 3: Reconsider Travel’ status has been retained for most parts of Bangladesh, while the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which includes Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban districts, have been placed in the ‘Level 4 (Do Not Travel)’ category.

US advisory flags terror threat, communal violence in Bangladesh

The US travel advisory has cited the continued risk of communal violence, terrorism, kidnapping and political unrest in Bangladesh as the primary reasons for advising citizens against travelling to the country. The US State Department said that while large-scale violence and clashes have subsided, sporadic protests continue across Bangladesh, and even peaceful events can quickly devolve into violent clashes.

The advisory has urged US citizens traveling to Bangladesh to avoid any and all political events and large public gatherings.

Restrictions on US workers

The State Department has imposed strict travel restrictions on US government employees stationed in Bangladesh, restricting their activities within Dhaka to the diplomatic enclave unless specific permission is granted. As per the advisory, US workers require prior permission if they wish to travel outside the Bangladesh capital, but travel Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet has been allowed as they considered relatively safe.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Dhaka said that its ability to assist US citizens in emergencies is hampered by infrastructure limitations and the availability of local emergency services.