Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Kabul | October 6, 2015

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has received reports that an attack involving multiple suicide bombers and assaulters has taken place at a former lawmaker’s guesthouse in Kabul in the Daurl Aman area in Police District 7 at approximately 8:00 p.m. local time on October 5, 2015.  There were also reports of a subsequent gun battle between insurgents and government security forces in the same area throughout the night and into the morning of October 6th.  Roads have been blocked in this area, as security forces are in the process of clearing surrounding streets.  U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to avoid this area.

In accordance with the Travel Warning for Afghanistan, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan.  The security situation in Afghanistan is extremely unstable, and the threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. U.S. citizens currently visiting or residing in Afghanistan may wish to consider departing.  The Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens who decide to remain in Afghanistan to review your personal security plans, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal safety, remain aware of your surroundings, monitor local media for updates, and maintain a high level of vigilance.

For further information:

·     See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution,Travel Warning for Afghanistan, Travel Alerts, and Afghanistan Country Specific Information.

·     Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

·     Contact the U.S. Embassy, which is located at Great Massoud Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry of Public Health in Kabul. To reach the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit of the Consular Section during business hours, please call 0700-108-499 or send an email toKabulACS@state.gov. You can also reach the ACS unit through the Embassy’s switchboard by calling 0700-108-001/002. For after-hours emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please call the Consular Duty Officer at 0700-10-8001.

·     Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).