The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has received reports of ongoing gunfire and an explosion northwest of the U.S. Embassy compound at the Afghan National Army (ANA) Hospital, known as Wazir Akbar Khan (WAK) Hospital or “Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan Hospital” at approximately 09:05AM. Initial reports of this being a NDS Hospital are incorrect. Embassy personnel have been advised to avoid the ANA Hospital and surrounding areas until further notice.
As a reminder, in accordance with the Travel Warning for Afghanistan, the Department of State warns 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 +93-700-114-000 or send an email to KabulACS@state.gov. For after-hours emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please call the Consular Duty Officer at +93-700-11-4000.
- 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).
