Middle East and North Africa

Yemen
Still current at: 25 November 2009 Updated: 17 November 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Kidnap, Local Travel and Studying in Yemen section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Safety and security

Terrorism

There remains a high threat from terrorism in Yemen. We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including against Western and British interests, such as residential compounds, military and oil facilities, and transport and aviation interests. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

You should take all the necessary steps to protect your safety, and you should make sure that you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance in public places and avoid places frequented by foreign travellers and expatriates such as hotels, restaurants, and popular sites, which we judge to be of particular risk, including in Sana’a and other urban areas.

We advise against all travel to the Governorate of Sa'ada. We also advise against all but essential travel to the rest of Yemen due to the threat of terrorism, kidnapping and tribal violence.

There have been a number of other terrorist incidents in Yemen over the past 10 years. Recent examples of such attacks include:

On 18 March 2009 there was an attempted suicide attack against a convoy of vehicles on the airport road in Sana’a, approximately 1.5 – 2kms from the entrance to Sana’a International Airport. There were no casualties.
On 15 March 2009 a group of South Korean nationals were attacked whilst visiting a popular tourist site in Shibam, Hadramaut Governorate. Four South Koreans and one Yemeni national died in the attack. At least four others were injured.
On 17 September 2008, at least 17 people were killed in an attack on the US Embassy in Sana'a, including six terrorists.
On 30 April 2008, there was a mortar attack against the Italian Embassy in Sana'a.
On 10 April 2008 an improvised explosive device exploded at an oil company headquarters in Sana'a, and a second device was disarmed.
On 6 April 2008 there was a mortar attack against a residential compound in Sana'a.
On 18 March 2008 there was a grenade attack against the US Embassy in Sana'a.
On 18 January 2008, two Belgian and two Yemeni nationals were shot dead, with four other Belgians seriously injured, in an incident in the Governorate of Hadramaut.
On 9 July 2007, an explosive device was found in Aden but was not detonated.
On 2 July 2007, eight Spanish and two Yemeni nationals were killed, and a number of others injured, in a suicide bomb attack in Ma’rib, 100 km east of Sana'a.

For further information please also check the British Embassy website: http://www.ukinyemen.fco.gov.uk/en/.

Kidnaps

Some tribes are heavily armed and have a tradition of kidnapping foreigners to publicise their grievances or to further their case in disputes with the government. Such kidnappings have occurred in the capital Sana’a as well as in the Governorates of al-Jawf, Abyan, Sa'ada, Dhamar, ‘Amran, Ma’rib, Shabwah and Abyan. You should exercise caution when travelling outside urban areas and you should not travel outside cities at night. We recommend that travel outside the major cities is only undertaken when accompanied by a military escort.

The British Embassy are investigating the kidnap of a British national who went missing along with eight other foreign nationals in the Governorate of Sa’ada Governorate in the north of Yemen on 12 June 2009. Three of those kidnapped were killed and the other six (including the Briton) remain missing. On 16 November 2009 a Japanese national was kidnapped on the road between Sana’a and Marib, he is still being held. On 31 March 2009 two Dutch expatriates were kidnapped outside Sana’a. They were released unharmed after being held for two weeks. Other recent incidents of kidnappings include a German national and his two Yemeni colleagues were kidnapped in Shabwa Governorate. The hostages were released unharmed on 18 January 2009. Three South African nationals, including two children, were kidnapped on the Aden/Abyan road in the south of Yemen. They were released unharmed on 2 January 2009, and on 14 December 2008 three German nationals were kidnapped in Bait Bous, on the outskirts of Sana'a. All of those hostages were released unharmed. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

Crime

Incidents of violent crime against foreigners are rare, but the easy availability of weapons makes it a possibility. Tribal disputes over land are common, including in major cities, and may involve the use of weapons. You should exercise caution at all times.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Yemen Country Profile

Since 2004, the Yemeni government have been fighting an armed uprising by the al Huthi movement and their supporters in Sa’ada, northern Yemen. There have also been clashes on the Saudi – Yemen border between the rebels and the Saudi Government since early November. Foreigners have not been targeted, but hundreds of Yemeni soldiers and civilians have been killed in the fighting. The area affected by the conflict has gradually spread from the northern part of the Sa’ada Governorate into the neighbouring Governorates of ‘Amran and al Jawf. In 2008, there have also been pockets of fighting in Wadi Bani Hushaish, some 20 kilometres east of Sana’a. The fighting has varied in intensity, with lulls in hostilities and several agreed cease-fires, most recently in July 2008. August 2009 however saw a revival of heavy fighting in Sa’ada Governorate including the use of air strikes and heavy artillery and there have also been reports of further outbreaks of fighting in Amran and Al Jawf as a result of this new round of conflict. We advise against all travel to the Sa’ada Governorate, access to which is in any case limited by Yemeni government restrictions.

You should follow news reports and be alert to local and regional developments, which might trigger public disturbances. Developments in Iraq and on the Middle East Peace Process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region. You should be aware of local sensitivities on the issue. There have been demonstrations in both Sana’a and Aden following the escalation of violence in Gaza since late December 2008. Since March 2009 there has been an increase in demonstrations in the south in particular in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Lahj, and Al-Dhali’. Some of these demonstrations have resulted in violence. You should take precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations.

Local Travel

If you wish to drive outside Sana'a you will need prior permission from the Yemen Tourist Police. Travel permits may take at least 24 hours to be issued and are easiest to obtain through a travel agent. Travellers without such permission is likely to result in detention and possible deportation. You should be aware that the consular assistance we can offer outside Sana’a is limited due to restrictions on travel.

There have been disturbances in Aden, Lahij and al-Dhali', which have resulted in closures of the Aden-Sana'a road. These have been short-lived but if you intend to travel by road you should check that the road is open before starting your journey.

Road Travel

You can drive in Yemen on an International Driving Licence.

Driving standards are poor and mountain roads hazardous.

You should avoid all road travel at night. Care should also be taken to avoid minefields left over from Yemen's civil wars. Travelling off well-used tracks without an experienced guide could be extremely hazardous, particularly in parts of the south and the central highlands.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

All flights should be reconfirmed during your stay.

Sea Travel

Mariners should be aware of an increasing number of pirate attacks against ships off the Gulf of Aden in 2008, including against private yachts. We advise against yachting in this area. Incidents of piracy have also been known to occur in parts of the Red Sea.

Mariners can find more general information at River and Sea Safety.