U.S. and UK issue travel warnings for Bangladesh, citing security concerns including three hill districts

Chittagong Bureau

The UK has issued a new warning to British citizens travelling to Bangladesh in the context of the national elections and the recent security situation. The country’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against non-essential travel to the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts – Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban.

On the other hand, the US State Department has released updated information on travel to Bangladesh without changing the level of its travel advisory. It has called for reconsideration of travel to Bangladesh, citing the risk of kidnapping, instability, crime, and terrorism.

The UK guidelines state that, starting from the anti-government terrorist violence on the 24th, and the instability in Bangladesh over the past 16 months, the national elections in Bangladesh will be held on February 12th. For this, the election campaign has started from January 22nd. The FCDO has advised against non-essential travel to several areas during this time.

The directive also states that non-essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts is not advised during this time. The reason for this is that there are regular reports of violence and other criminal activities in remote areas of these areas. This area consists of the following districts. These are Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning about potential security risks in Bangladesh in the context of terrorism, deteriorating law and order situation, and ongoing political unrest.

The agency said that terrorists may attempt to carry out attacks during this time. These attacks may occur indiscriminately and may also target places where foreign nationals travel.

According to the FCDO, potential risk areas include government and private buildings, restaurants and cafes, public transportation systems, crowded areas, places of religious worship, and political gatherings.

The organization recalled that during the anti-government terrorist violence in Bangladesh in July-August 2024, widespread violence spread across the country, leaving many people dead and injured.

The FCDO said that although the national elections are scheduled to be held on February 12, the overall situation in the country is not yet completely stable. Various political parties are holding regular meetings and protests, which can quickly turn violent and create the risk of clashes.

The organization urged people to be alert to the rapidly changing situation and advised avoiding political rallies, protests, and large gatherings. If protests break out anywhere, they are asked to quickly evacuate to a safe location.

At the same time, the FCDO also advised people to follow the instructions of local authorities, regularly follow local media news, and receive email notifications when travel warnings are updated.

The US State Department, in its travel advisory, says that violence can suddenly turn violent. Therefore, US citizens are advised to avoid all types of gatherings.

Robbery, theft, assault and illegal drug dealing are common crimes in major cities. There is also a risk of petty crime such as pickpocketing in crowded areas, although there is no evidence that foreigners are being specifically targeted.

Regarding terrorism, the advisory states that there is a risk of terrorist attacks in Bangladesh. It also states that there is a complete ban on travel to Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban districts, citing serious security risks, including kidnapping, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.

In addition, for security reasons, US government employees working in Bangladesh will not be able to travel outside the diplomatic area without a permit. It was also noted that the US government’s ability to provide emergency services outside Dhaka is limited.

The guidance for travelers includes avoiding protests and political rallies, monitoring local media, having an emergency exit plan, and reporting crime to local authorities if you are a victim of crime. It also recommends purchasing travel insurance and registering with the U.S. Embassy’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before traveling.