This Travel Warning is being revised to update security information. The overall security situation in Tajikistan has improved. Nevertheless, the presence of terrorist groups allied with Al-Qaida and limitations on the Embassy's ability to provide consular services still pose risks to travelers. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Tajikistan dated September 25, 2001.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the potential danger of travel to Tajikistan. The security situation has improved since the conclusion of the civil war in 1997. However, incidents of hostage-taking and assassination occurred in recent years and threats against Americans, including the threat of kidnapping, continue. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a foreign terrorist organization, fought alongside Al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan against U.S. military forces. Following U.S. military actions, the IMU's operational capabilities were diminished, but the threat of terrorist actions by the IMU and its sympathizers still exists. Americans should particularly avoid the vicinity of Kofarhihon and areas along the borders with Afghanistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, the Karategin Valley, and Tavildara District. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of U.S. Embassy personnel to certain parts of Tajikistan. U.S. citizens should check with the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe before traveling outside Dushanbe.

The Department of State relocated Embassy operations from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 1998 due to threats to Americans and American interests worldwide, instability in Tajikistan at the time, and the limited ability to secure the safety of U.S. Embassy personnel in the Embassy facility in Dushanbe. Although still officially resident in Almaty, Embassy staff work primarily out of Dushanbe at an interim Embassy facility. U.S. citizens are reminded that resources and security considerations limit the availablity of most consular services, including those of an emergency nature.

Departure options from Tajikistan may be limited in an emergency. U.S. citizens, their family members and their dependents can maximize departure options by obtaining extended visas for travel to countries with direct flight or reliable land connections to Tajikistan. These include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, and India, for which visas in advance are required. Other destinations, via weekly flight only are Turkey and Germany, which do not require visas in advance. Please note, however, that in certain emergency situations, flights may be suspended.

U.S. citizens are strongly advised to register and obtain updated security information at the American Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Contact information in Dushanbe (switchboard staffed 24 hours per day): 992-372-21-03-48; 24-15-60; 51-00-28. Consular services for Tajikistan are handled in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The telephone number for the American Embassy in Almaty is 7-3272-63-39-21; 50-76-27.

For further information on Tajikistan, please consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Tajikistan and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement which are located on the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov.