War/Regional conflicts

Lebanon: Clashes Raise Fears of Civil War

Date: May 14th, 2008 |

A crisis that has brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war erupted May 7 when the government outlawed Hezbollah’s communications network and Hezbollah responded by attacking pro-government militias and taking control of wide areas of Beirut. The group subsequently handed over control to the Lebanese army, but much of Beirut remained blocked off by [read more]

Sri Lanka: Travel to North and East Still Dangerous, Yala Wildlife Sanctuary Closed

Date: October 25th, 2007 |

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Travel to northern and eastern Sri Lanka remains risky because of ongoing conflict between the armed forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels. The government has controlled the eastern part of the country since July 2007, but some insurgents and paramilitary members remain active in the area and security cannot be guaranteed. The [read more]

Laos: Fighting in Vang Vieng

Date: May 30th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Laos reported news of sporadic fighting between government forces and rebels in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane province, and warned against ground travel north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. U.S. Embassy personnel are prohibited from taking personal journeys in the area on Route 13 and contiguous roads. [read more]

East Africa: Ongoing Terrorist Threat

Date: January 10th, 2007 |

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The U.S. State Department has reissued its public announcement alerting travelers to the continuing potential for terrorist actions in the region, especially along the coast, and to the risks of piracy near the horn of Africa. The conflict in Somalia may prompt al-Qaeda operatives to flee the country and attempt to relocate elsewhere in the [read more]

Sri Lanka: Clashes Continue while Peace Talks Resume

Date: October 24th, 2006 |

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Fighting between government forces and the Tamil Tigers has escalated in recent weeks, all but destroying the peace process that had held so much hope just a short time ago. Travel to the north and east remains risky. The U.S. State Department advises avoiding the area north of a line following the highway from Puttalam [read more]

Sri Lanka: Sliding Back into War?

Date: December 6th, 2007 |

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This tropical island nation appears to be spiraling down into civil war again as a cease-fire brokered by Norwegian negotiators in 2002 has deteriorated to the point of collapse and conflict is escalating. Tamil Tiger rebels have been confined to their stronghold in the north but struck Colombo, the capital city, with two suicide bombings [read more]

DR Congo: Rebels Take Over Virunga National Park, Threaten Mountain Gorillas

Date: September 5th, 2007 |

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Virunga National Park, home of the rare mountain gorillas in eastern Congo on the borders with Uganda and Rwanda, has been overrun by a rebel army fighting government forces. Some 10,000 refugees have fled to Uganda and park rangers have been forced to evacuate, leaving the gorillas unprotected. Fighting has occurred in the park and [read more]

Laos: Fighting Endangers Highway from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Date: February 28th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy has received reports from several sources of fighting between Lao government forces and one or more unidentified groups in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane province. Embassy officials recommend avoiding surface travel north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, and prohibit travel by Embassy personnel to Luang Prabang along Route [read more]

Israel and Palestinian Territories: Hostilities between Hamas and Fatah

Date: December 26th, 2006 |

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In an announcement released Dec. 21, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem urged U.S. citizens to defer all travel to the West Bank and Gaza because of hostilities between Fatah and Hamas factions that could produce armed conflict and potentially violent demonstrations. Violence between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip and the West [read more]

Lebanon and Israel: Conflict with Hezbollah Tears Apart Lebanon

Date: July 18th, 2006 |

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The conflict between Israel and the Islamic militant group Hezbollah has battered Lebanon, shutting down air traffic into Beirut and forcing the evacuation of thousands of foreigners. The evacuation of as many as 25,000 Americans began July 17. Israeli missiles targeted infrastructure and Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, and Hezbollah missiles hit Haifa and threatened northern [read more]