The U.S. State Department has alerted its citizens of the potential for unrest in Bahrain.
All travelers to Bahrain face increased scrutiny from Bahraini authorities, and the Government of Bahrain has refused to allow some U.S. citizens permission to enter Bahrain, it said in a Travel Alert update on Monday. The airport remains open and operational.
Spontaneous and sometimes violent anti-government demonstrations occur in some neighborhoods, particularly at night and on weekends. These demonstrations have included blockades of major highways, trash can fires, and establishment of unofficial checkpoints. Participants have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and used various other homemade weapons. The Ministry of Interior maintains official checkpoints in some areas and routinely uses tear gas, stun grenades, and other crowd control measures against demonstrators. The violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators can make travel in and around Bahrain dangerous without advance warning, says the Travel Alert.
The U.S. Embassy restricts its employees from traveling to specific areas and advises all U.S. citizens to do the same.
The recent increase in violent demonstrations along the Budaiya Highway corridor has led to traffic disruptions, effectively restricting travel for those living in the area. The resulting inability to leave one's home for an extended period poses significant safety and security concerns. As a result, Embassy employees and their dependents are being relocated to different neighborhoods. U.S. citizens are urged to follow the latest security guidance and to avoid demonstrations. They have also been advised to check the State Department's Demonstration Notices where the latest information and security guidance along with the latest map outlining the recommended areas of travel can be found.
There are no indications that Westerners or U.S. citizens are being targeted directly, but recent isolated examples of anti-U.S. sentiment have been seen on the streets and U.S. flags have occasionally been burned during demonstrations.
U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security by knowing the locations of police and fire stations, hospitals, and the U.S. Embassy. The Department of State strongly urged U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. Those who are in immediate danger, have been advised to call the police at 999.
The U.S. Embassy in capital Manama is open for all routine American Citizens Services (such as passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarials) by appointment via its website, bahrain.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens with routine inquiries can write to manamaconsular@state.gov. Emergency passport services can be arranged via email or by calling the Embassy directly.
U.S. citizens in Bahrain are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that they can receive Messages and Emergency Messages for U.S. citizens as well as Demonstration Notices.
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