This security message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens of possible traffic disruptions and road closures in Kabul on Wednesday, October 4 and/or Thursday, October 5, possibly including roads leading to the airport and the International Zone. U.S. citizens may also notice heightened security measures around the city and are advised to avoid central Kabul if possible on those dates.
The Embassy has received information that the Afghan government has declared Wednesday, October 4, a holiday and government offices in Kabul will be closed. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul will also be closed for routine consular services on Wednesday, October 4. The public is advised to monitor the Embassy’s websiteabout the availability of routine consular services on Thursday, October 5. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance can reach the American Citizen Services unit using the contact information at the bottom of this message.
The Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to avoid large crowds. Demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence without warning. Remain alert to local security developments by monitoring local media and plan your activities accordingly.
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, 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 0700-114-000 or send an email to KabulACS@state.gov. You can also reach the ACS unit through the Embassy’s switchboard by calling 0700-108-000. For after-hours emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please call the Consular Duty Officer at 0700-108-000.
- 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).
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