US Issues Travel Advisory for Bangladesh, Cites Civil Unrest, Terror Threat

Students clash with riot police during a protest against a quota system for government jobs, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 18, 2024. Rajib Dhar/AP Photo

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for Bangladesh, urging Americans to reconsider traveling to the South Asian country because of civil unrest, crime, and terrorism.

Bangladeshi police imposed a strict curfew following the deadly protests.

The State Department advisory, issued on July 19, notes that demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported throughout the capital city of Dhaka, neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh.

Telecommunications have been interrupted in Dhaka and across the country, according to the State Department, which warned of possible delays in the provision of consular services because of the deteriorating security situation.

In its advisory, the State Department singles out the Chittagong Hill Tracts Region, a group of districts in southeastern Bangladesh that border India and Myanmar in the east. It warns of occasional communal violence, crime, kidnapping, and terrorism.

“Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities,” the advisory states.

Local media reported that about 800 inmates had escaped from a prison about 30 miles northeast of Dhaka after it was set ablaze by protesters.

Protests led by student groups erupted weeks ago across Bangladesh, over a quota system reserving up to 30 percent of government jobs for relatives of 1971 war veterans.

Violence broke out on July 16, with AFP reporting at least 105 deaths in total to date, citing victim counts reported by hospitals. July 19 may have been the deadliest day, with AFP reporting at least 52 deaths in the capital, citing a tally drawn up by the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Bangladeshi authorities haven’t provided official casualty figures.

Following the deadly protests, police imposed a strict curfew across Bangladesh on July 19, while military forces patrolled parts of Dhaka the following day.

The curfew, which began at midnight on July 19, allows officers to fire on mobs in extreme cases, according to Bangladeshi lawmaker Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, The Associated Press reported.

The curfew was relaxed from noon to 2 p.m. on July 20 to allow people to run essential errands.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka issued an alert on July 19, noting that there were “hundreds to possibly thousands” of injured nationwide and describing the situation as “extremely volatile.”

“U.S. citizens should practice vigilance and reconsider their travel plans. Shelter in place if near affected areas. You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings,” the embassy said in the statement, adding that it would be providing only limited services as mission staff have been instructed to shelter in place.

Both the travel advisory and the U.S. Embassy statement urged Americans in Bangladesh to avoid large crowds and protests, and to shelter in place when necessary.

U.S. citizens also were urged to monitor local news if available for security-related developments and to remain vigilant and always carry a charged cell phone for emergency communications.

There have been reports that the Bangladeshi government had blocked mobile and internet services, with some TV channels being taken off the air and most local newspaper websites down.

The unrest represents the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since her fourth consecutive election victory in January.

Protesters argue that the quota system is discriminatory, and they demand a merit-based system instead. The prime minister has defended the quotas, emphasizing respect for war veterans.

Representatives from both sides met on July 19 to seek a resolution. Student leaders demanded quota reforms, the reopening of dormitories, and the resignation of certain university officials. Government officials expressed willingness to discuss the demands.

Although the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party supported the protests and pledged to organize its own demonstrations, it denied responsibility for the violence.