August 11, 2015
U.S. Embassy Kabul
In light of a wave of recent attacks and surge in civilian casualties, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul reiterates the heightened security environment and escalated threat level for U.S. citizens. 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.
Three separate attacks in Kabul on August 7 – including an early-morning vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack in a residential neighborhood; a body-borne improvised explosive device (BBIED) attack targeting the Afghan National Police (ANP) Academy; and a complex attack against coalition-affiliated Camp Integrity – killed over 50 and wounded hundreds. An August 10 VBIED attack at a Kabul International Airport entrance security checkpoint killed six Afghan nationals and injured another 23.
The Embassy strongly urges U.S. citizens throughout 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 an increased 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 messagesand 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 to KabulACS@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.
- 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).
