U.S. is urging people not to travel to this South Asian country

The United States State Department is urging citizens not to travel to the South Asian country of Bangladesh due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism.

The department issued a Level 4 travel advisory earlier this week. Level 4, “Do Not Travel,” is the department’s highest advisory.

The department also ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members on Aug. 5,

Travelers, the advisory said, should avoid the area due to current civil unrest. Violent clashes have occurred in the city of Dhaka and its neighboring areas, as well as elsewhere in the country. The Bangladeshi Army is deployed nationwide.

Anyone who is traveling to the country should check with their airlines to confirm their flight’s status, as Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport temporarily paused operations on Aug. 5.

Travelers should also be aware of petty crimes like pickpocketing in crowded areas, the advisory said. Muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking comprise most of the criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities, but the advisory said that there are no signs that foreigners in particular are being targeted.

The advisory also warned that terrorist attacks can happen “with little or no warning,” and that terrorists target public areas like tourist locations, shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.

The advisory also warned that U.S. officials in Bangladesh might have limited ability to provide emergency services due to travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited resources.

Bangladesh is located to the east of India along the Bay of Bengal. The former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, fled the country on Monday following a month of unrest and protests demanding Hasina’s resignation.

If you are still planning to travel to Bangladesh, the department recommends the following:

• Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust plans.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Get to a safe area and report any criminal incident to local authorities.