‘Do not travel’: Destinations Aussies are warned to avoid
There are currently 22 places that the Smartraveller website is urging Australians not to visit.
Lebanon
Smartraveller advises Australians not to travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further.
Daily military action is occurring in southern Lebanon, including rocket and missile fire, as well as airstrikes. The situation could escalate quickly or spread to other areas in Lebanon, including Beirut.
If the security situation in Lebanon deteriorates, it’s likely that Beirut airport would close, and you may be unable to leave for an extended period.
Yemen
While you may be tempted to check out the famous dragon blood trees of Socotra, Yemen (pictured above), you’ll need to put that plan on ice for the time being. Not only have most international airlines ceased flights to Yemen, it is also on Smartraveller’s “do not travel” list due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorism.
The website says: “Do not travel to Yemen due to the ongoing civil and international conflict. Fighting continues in most parts of the country, and while there are currently no military airstrikes, they may recommence without warning. There’s extreme political instability, risk of injury from landmines and unexploded ordinance, and a very high threat of kidnapping and terrorism. You may also be unable to get enough food, water or medical care”.
- Weapons are readily available. Yemenis are often heavily armed. Armed carjacking is common.
- Always drive with your doors locked and windows up. Petty crime is increasing against foreigners, especially if cash or valuables are visible.
- There’s a high threat of piracy in Yemeni waters and the Gulf of Aden
Somalia
Terrorist attacks are an ongoing problem in this part of Africa.
Possible targets include the international airport, government officials and buildings, hotels, restaurants, foreigners and foreign interests, and UN workers. The most recent incidents have caused hundreds of fatalities and injuries.
The kidnapping risk is also very high in all parts of Somalia. Several active terrorist groups have the intent and capability to kidnap foreigners. Make sure your movements aren’t predictable.
Pirate attacks in and around Somalia’s waters, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden are a serious threat. This includes far off the Somali coast.
Residential areas and markets in south-central Somalia have experienced shootings and grenade attacks.
On top of that, Somalia has extreme weather, including severe droughts, heatwaves and floods. It’s also prone to tsunamis.
Iran
Foreigners in Iran are at a high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest (in recent times Australians have been detained without due process of law).
Iran also does not recognise dual nationality which means the Australian government’s ability to provide consular support to dual Australian-Iranian nationals is extremely limited.
Localised protests continue in parts of Iran. Security forces’ response has been severe, and many protesters and bystanders have been injured, killed or detained. There’s been an increase in the number of foreign nationals arrested during the protests.
Kidnap for ransom is a risk for travellers, and regional tensions are high and could escalate rapidly. There is ongoing hostility between Iran and Israel, and military tensions between Iran, the US and other countries in the Middle East. The Iran-Iraq, Iran-Afghanistan, and Iran-Pakistan border areas are extremely dangerous.
Women in particular can face unwanted attention and harassment.
Ukraine
Smartraveller continues to advise that Australians do not travel to Ukraine due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Heavy fighting continues in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Missile strikes and attacks are ongoing in some locations across the country, including in major cities. There have been many casualties. Foreigners have been killed and may be targeted. Large amounts of unexploded ordnance and landmines are present in conflict and post-conflict areas.
Chad
Chad is considered extremely dangerous due to the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest and violent crime.
Armed robbery and carjacking has increased, including in daylight. Local security forces, or people posing as them, may also try to extort money from foreigners.
Russia
Smartraveller warns Australians against travel to Russia due to the security situation and the impacts of the military conflict with Ukraine.
Russian authorities have made strong, negative comments regarding Western countries. Local authorities may adopt a more negative attitude towards foreigners in Russia and enforce local laws in an arbitrary manner.
Security incidents, such as drone attacks and explosions, often occur in southern and western areas of Russia, including regions bordering Ukraine, Moscow, and St Petersburg.
Burkina Faso
The security situation in this part of Africa continues to be volatile.
There’s an ongoing high threat of terrorism and kidnapping. Extremist militant groups continue to attack targets across Burkina Faso. Further attacks are highly likely, including in the capital Ouagadougou.
The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in Burkina Faso.
Yellow fever, malaria and other insect-borne diseases are common and the rate of HIV/AIDS infection is high.
Syria
The security situation in Syria remains extremely volatile. There is an ongoing threat of armed conflict, air strikes, terrorism and kidnapping. Foreigners, especially aid workers and journalists, have been kidnapped and chemical weapons have been used in the conflict. Protests can turn violent and authorities have arrested people near demonstrations, regardless of their citizenship.
Crime in general has increased, including violent robberies, kidnappings and carjackings. For any Australians who are in Syria despite government advise, Smartraveller advises that you keep your vehicle doors locked and windows up, even when moving.
Iraq
In Iraq there is a risk of violence, armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorist attacks.
Organised criminal gangs, militia and tribal groups are significant threats and there is a high threat of kidnapping throughout the country. Large protests and political rallies occur regularly across Iraq and these can quickly turn violent.
Venezuela
The political and economic situation continues to be unstable in this section of South America. There are high levels of violent crime, and shortages of food, water, medicine and petrol.
Common violent crime includes murder, armed robbery, drive-by shootings, sexual assault and carjackings.
Shortages of basic goods can result in long line-ups at stores. This can lead to fighting, looting and theft.
Natural disasters are also a risk – severe weather, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and landslides can occur.
Afghanistan
There’s an ongoing and very high threat of terrorist attacks throughout Afghanistan.
Terrorists continue to target foreigners, NGOs and humanitarian operations. Foreign nationals, including Australians, also face a serious threat of kidnapping or detention. There are no Australian officials in Afghanistan, and the Australian government’s ability to provide consular and passport assistance to Australians in Afghanistan is severely limited.
Niger
The security situation in this part of Africa remains highly volatile. There’s ongoing political instability. Protests and civil unrest are expected to continue and can turn violent without warning.
There’s also a high risk of kidnapping for foreigners, and terrorism. Terrorists may target places visited by foreigners, including hotels, cafes and restaurants as well as government buildings, security facilities, international organisations, diplomatic buildings and police stations.
Myanmar
Since the Myanmar military assumed control of the country, there has been a significant increase in the level of violence, with many deaths and injuries. Violence, including explosions and attacks, can occur anywhere and anytime. Attacks may be planned against locations that foreigners frequent, including public spaces and civilian infrastructure.
There’ve been widespread detentions, including of foreigners. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention.
Australians are also warned to be aware of offers of employment that appear ‘too good to be true’. Foreign nationals have been trafficked into Myanmar (either directly into Yangon or via a neighbouring country) and forced to work in fraudulent activity, with poor pay and living conditions, restrictions on movement, and severe mistreatment.
Sudan
A civil war is occurring in Sudan, with Khartoum and Darfur among the worst affected areas.
Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. Law and order and government services have broken down in many parts of Sudan. Water, electricity, telecommunications, and banking services may not be available. Most hospitals are not functioning. Civilians have been killed in airstrikes and artillery bombardment. Residents have been evicted from homes by armed groups, and looting is common.
Landmines and unexploded remnants of war are a risk.
There’s a threat of terrorism. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Kidnapping is a serious risk in Sudan, including in Khartoum. Kidnappers often target foreigners.
Central African Republic
There are ongoing military operations throughout the CAR and outbreaks of intercommunal violence and armed conflict can happen without warning. Tensions are high. Armed groups operate across the country. They’ve killed foreigners, including aid workers and peacekeepers. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) regularly attacks civilians in the southeast of the CAR, especially Haut-Mbomou province.
Kidnapping and violent crime occur. Kidnappers can target foreigners and bandit groups are common.
Yellow fever is widespread and medical facilities in the CAR are limited. Many medications are unavailable. If you’re seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated.
Belarus
The security environment in Belarus is volatile and could deteriorate at short notice. The volatile security environment is caused by the Russian military presence along Belarus’ border with Ukraine and military conflict. Russian forces are conducting military operations from Belarus, and this has heightened tensions in the region.
Belarus has laws incurring jail sentences for ‘terrorism propaganda’ and ‘discrediting’ the Belarusian armed forces and military organisations. Penalties may be severe, including the death penalty for high treason.
Large protests occur in Minsk and other cities in Belarus. Harassment of foreigners is possible. You may not be able to trust the police and other local officials. People have reported harassment, mistreatment and extortion by officials.
There’s also a radiation exclusion zone around nearby Chernobyl. Authorities may restrict travel in this region. Food may have high levels of radiation so it is advised to avoid eating local food.
South Sudan
The political and security situation in South Sudan is volatile and can worsen without warning. Fighting and instability continue across the country. The Australian government’s ability to provide consular services in South Sudan is extremely limited.
Kidnapping, murder, shootings, home invasions, armed robbery, carjacking and sexual assault are common throughout South Sudan, including in Juba. Petty crime, such as theft and fraudulent currency exchange, is common.
Libya
Violent fighting is widespread and ongoing in Libya. The security situation is very unstable. There’s a high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping and crime.
On 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya. Severe flooding in eastern Libya has resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage to critical infrastructure, further limiting access to essential services (including hospitals).
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. They include typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, plague and measles.
Mali
There’s an ongoing and very high threat of terrorism throughout Mali. Terrorists have primarily targeted security forces facilities, resulting in casualties, including civilians. Attacks can occur in places visited by foreigners, including airports, public transport and transportation hubs, tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets and hotels.
Armed robbery and carjackings also occur, particularly in the north. Several groups target foreigners. Ransoms paid to kidnappers fund terrorism.
Avoid speaking out against the government. Local authorities could see this as provocative or anti participation. Severe penalties, including the death penalty, may occur.
Haiti
Smartraveller advises Australians not to travel to Haiti due to the dangerous security situation, threat of violent crime, kidnapping and severe shortages of basic necessities including fuel, water and food.
Kidnappings are common in Haiti. Since September 2020, hundreds of foreign nationals have been abducted. Victims have included missionaries, aid workers and children. Most of the victims have been released in exchange for ransom. In some cases, victims have disappeared or been killed.
Cholera is also an ongoing risk in parts of Haiti.
North Korea
Australians are warned against attempting entry to North Korea “due to the very different laws affecting visitors and the uncertain security situation”.
North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war, and tensions have increased in recent times. North Korea frequently conducts missile tests or other provocations, raising regional tensions.
The Smartraveller site also says: “the North Korean Government restricts information, especially about domestic politics and international relations. You can usually access international satellite TV channels at tourist hotels. However, if the government shuts these down in a crisis, you may not know what’s happening”.
Reported on 23 January 2024 by Escape.com.au