Register your overseas travel and/or residential details here.
Reviewed: 18 March 2008
Still current at:
04 July 2008
There is extreme risk to your security in the Governorates of Sa’dah, Ma’rib and Hadramaut due to terrorism, tribal violence and the risk of kidnapping. We advise against all travel to these areas.
There is high risk to your security elsewhere in Yemen and we advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel due to the very high threat from terrorism and risk of kidnapping.
Terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Yemen, and could be directed at any location known to be frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Possible targets for terrorist attacks include (but are not limited to) embassies, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, tourist sites, government offices, military and oil industry facilities.
New Zealanders in Yemen are advised to exercise extreme caution in public places, maintain a high degree of personal security awareness at all times and take all possible security precautions to protect their safety.
In January 2008, two Belgian tourists and two Yemeni nationals were shot dead, and four other Belgians seriously injured following an attack by four gunmen on a convoy of tourist vehicles in the governorate of Hadramaut. In July 2007, eight Spanish tourists and two Yemeni nationals were killed and a number of others injured when a suicide bomber drove a car into a convoy of tourist vehicles visiting a temple 100km east of Sana’a in the governorate of Ma’rib. In May 2007, one person was killed and another injured by explosions targeting Yemeni government buildings in central Sana’a. Further terrorist attacks are likely.
Tribal groups in Yemen have kidnapped foreigners in the past (including in the capital Sana’a) to draw attention to their grievances with the government. The last kidnapping incident involving a foreigner occurred in August 2007 in the governorate of Shabwah. Due to the risk of kidnapping you should avoid all travel outside the major cities.
Political or economic developments in Yemen and the region could trigger demonstrations and protests. New Zealand travellers are advised to keep themselves informed of such developments and local sensitivities and avoid all large gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they have the potential to turn violent with little warning.
There is a risk of piracy attacks off the Yemen coast, especially in the Gulf of Aden, and we strongly advise against sailing through these waters. Incidents of piracy have also been known to occur in parts of the Red Sea.
As there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in Yemen, the ability of the government to assist New Zealand citizens who get into trouble is severely limited.
New Zealanders travelling or resident in Yemen should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air.
New Zealand citizens travelling or resident in Yemen are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through this website.
See our regional advice for the Middle East
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Page last updated: Wednesday, 23 April 2008, 10:19 NZST
