State Department Warns Against Travel to Bangladesh Due to Ongoing Civil Unrest

Students clash with riot police during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 18, 2024. (Rajib Dhar/AP Photo)

The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Bangladesh to “Level 4: Do Not Travel” amid a political crisis in the country.

The travel update was issued as Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed resigned from her post and fled the country on Monday. Her resignation followed weeks of protests against the government, including violent incidents, over a quota system for government jobs. Hasina was elected for her fourth term in January.

Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, the chief of Bangladesh’s Army Staff, has announced an interim government and vowed to investigate the deadly clashes between protesters and the Bangladeshi military.

“Travelers should not travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing civil unrest in Dhaka. Violent clashes have occurred in the city of Dhaka, its neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh, and the Bangladeshi Army is deployed nationwide,” the Aug. 5 advisory states, referring to Bangladesh’s capital city.

“Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport temporarily paused operations on August 5. Travelers should check with their airlines to confirm status for future flights.”

The department warned that terror attacks could happen at any time with “little or no warning,” with terrorists targeting tourist locations and other public areas such as transportation hubs, government facilities, and markets.

The State Department has already ordered the evacuation of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their family members. Embassy personnel have been subjected to movement and travel restrictions due to security concerns.

“The U.S. government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources,” the department said.

The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts, collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts, experience incidences of communal violence, kidnapping, and other security risks, the advisory notes. Some of the crimes have targeted members of religious minorities.

Americans who plan on traveling to Bangladesh are asked to avoid political gatherings and demonstrations. U.S. citizens were advised to monitor local media to keep themselves updated on the latest events and adjust their plans accordingly.

Embassy Warning

The U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh also issued an advisory, asking U.S. citizens already in the country to shelter in a secure place and consider returning to the United States when it is safe to do so. It speculated that further violence linked to government transition is possible.

“Review personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news for updates. Phone service, SMS, and internet have suffered frequent, recent interruptions,” the advisory states.

While local travel agencies and ticket offices could be open, it may be easier to buy tickets online, the agency said. The embassy has canceled all routine consular services for Aug. 5–7 and is only open for limited operations. Embassy personnel are currently sheltering, it said.

“We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Hasina resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully and the United States urges all parties to refrain from further violence. We urge calm and restraint in the days ahead,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on social media platform X.