This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Terrorism (continuing very high threat of terrorist attack, including during Ramadan, and US Government warning to avoid Hadda Street in Sana’a and to suspend non-essential travel outside Sana’a by Embassy staff). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Yemen because of the very high threat of terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling to Yemen knowing that there is a very high threat from terrorism and you may be caught up in a terrorist attack. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen.

If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to Yemen, you should exercise extreme caution. If you are already in Yemen and concerned for your safety, you should consider departing.

Terrorist attacks are likely and could occur at any time anywhere in Yemen with little or no warning. Terrorists may be planning suicide attacks against Yemeni and foreign interests, including foreign officials, embassies, diplomatic premises and hotels.
Reported online statements by a Yemen-based terrorist group in 2010 indicate a continuing intent to attack Westerners and western targets. An increase in violent incidents in 2010 has highlighted the ongoing very high threat of terrorist attack in all parts of Yemen, including in Sana’a.

Terrorists may use the Ramadan season as an opportunity to conduct attacks. The US Embassy in Yemen has advised its staff to avoid hotels, areas with significant crowds, places where large numbers of foreigners gather, and large cultural events without a visible security presence. The US Embassy has also advised visitors to avoid Hadda Street in Sana’a and has suspended all non-essential travel outside of Sana’a by Embassy staff.

Media reports indicate that the Yemeni government security forces are on alert during Ramadan, particularly after dawn prayers, and have increased security measures around mosques, markets and vital facilities. Ramadan will end on or about 9 September 2010.

Terrorists may be planning attacks on oil infrastructure in Yemen. Attacks against oil interests and kidnappings of foreign oil workers have most recently been reported in Yemen in April, May and June 2010. Further such incidents could occur in any part of Yemen.

On 26 April 2010 the UK Ambassador’s vehicle was attacked by a suicide bomber in Sana’a. The UK Government subsequently warned its nationals in Yemen to avoid high profile venues such as international hotels and other places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

On 1 May 2010 the US Embassy in Yemen advised its staff to avoid the Movenpick Hotel in Sana’a until further notice and urged US citizens to remain vigilant regarding their personal security. Australian officials have also been advised to avoid the Movenpick Hotel in Sana’a until further notice.

Foreign tourists are particularly vulnerable to terrorism in Yemen. Attacks against tourists have increased in urban and provincial areas and are expected to continue to do so, including in Sana’a and Hadramaut provinces where a number of tourist attractions are located. In March 2009, four foreign tourists were killed by a suicide bomber in Shibam, southern Hadramaut, and a suicide bomber targeted a convoy carrying foreigners close to Sana'a International Airport.

An attack on the US Embassy in Sana’a in September 2008 killed 17 people and the group claiming responsibility for the attack has also threatened to target British, Saudi and Emirati missions in Sana’a. In April 2008, terrorists launched attacks against the headquarters of a Canadian oil company, a housing compound for foreigners and the Italian Embassy, all in Sana’a In March 2008, a mortar attack was launched near the US Embassy and a school in Sana’a.

A group claiming to be an international terrorist organisation continues to issue statements pledging to continue attacks against all Westerners in the Arabian Peninsula. In past statements, international terrorists have called for attacks in the Gulf region against Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Targets include areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, fast food and retail franchises, schools, places of worship, embassies and diplomatic interests, foreign residential compounds, international organisations, outdoor recreation events, public and private transport, including convoys, Yemeni government interests, security, police and military infrastructure and personnel, oil industry facilities, tourist areas and attractions, markets and shopping centres.

Marib, Shabwah, Hardramaut provinces: We strongly advise you not to travel to the Marib, Shabwah and Hadramaut provinces because of the very high risk of terrorist attack and tribal violence. If you are in these regions, you should consider leaving.

There is a risk of kidnapping in Yemen, including on the Aden/Taiz/Sana'a highway, and in the provinces of al-Jawf, Abyan, Saada, Dharmar, Amran, Marib, Sana’a and Shabwah. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped by tribesmen with grievances against the Yemeni Government. Nine foreigners were kidnapped in Saada in June 2009. The bodies of three foreigners were found several days later. The identity of those responsible is not known.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Political and economic developments in Yemen and the region may prompt large demonstrations. You should avoid protests and demonstrations throughout Yemen as they may become violent. Since the beginning of 2009, there has been an increase in demonstrations in the south of Yemen, including Aden and Abyan.

In the past, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured in stampedes at political rallies in Yemen. Lives have also been lost in election-related shootings.

You should monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.

Saada Province: We strongly advise you not to travel to Saada province in northern Yemen because of the unstable security situation. Official military operations by Yemeni Government forces against Al-Houti rebels in Saada have ended, but hostilities could resume at any time and civil unrest continues. Air strikes, heavy artillery and anti-personnel mines were used in the conflict. Clashes were reported in parts of Amran and Al Jawf provinces. The conflict has led to hundreds of thousands of civilians seeking refuge in neighbouring regions. This may place a strain on the supply of essential services.

Crime

Despite government efforts to disarm the population, weapons are still readily available within Yemen and the tribes are often heavily armed.

Armed carjacking has occurred in many parts of the country. Drive with your vehicle's doors locked and windows up at all times.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is rare but does occur. Credit card fraud, such as skimming, also occurs.

Unaccompanied women can be vulnerable to harassment. Women should take care when travelling alone, particularly at night.

Local Travel

Unclear and unheeded traffic laws, excessive speed, roaming animals and pedestrians are the cause of many road accidents. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Unexploded munitions, including landmines, are a danger in the central highlands and in the southern and eastern regions, particularly around Aden.

Travel outside major cities is not encouraged and should only be undertaken as part of an organised tour with military escort.

Foreigners wanting to undertake independent travel outside Sana'a are required to apply for permission from the Ministry of Tourism.

Avoid travelling after dark. Do not leave your vehicle unattended due to the risk of explosive devices being left in, on or near it.

You should seek the advice of the Yemeni authorities before entering Yemeni waters or ports. Many areas are sensitive from a security or territorial point of view.

Piracy: There is a high risk of piracy in the coastal areas of Yemen. There have been attacks by pirates against all forms of shipping in and around Yemen’s waters and the Gulf of Aden. Pirates have been using motherships to attack shipping further than 1,000 nautical miles (1,850km) from the coast of Somalia.

All forms of shipping are attractive targets for Somali pirates, including commercial vessels, pleasure craft (yachts etc) and luxury cruise liners. We strongly advise Australians to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near these waters.

According to the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC), there were 217 attempted attacks of piracy with 47 vessels hijacked and 867 crewmembers taken hostage in the Gulf of Aden and off the east coast of Somalia in 2009. See our advice to Australians travelling by sea for further information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website.

Airline Safety

Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The monsoon season is from June to September, sometimes resulting in flooding.

Sandstorms and dust storms also occur.

Yemen is subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Yemen does not have an extensive ATM network. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children, see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Yemen, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Australians who might engage in activities that involve local legal matters, particularly with regard to family law (divorce, child custody and child support), are strongly advised to seek professional advice and ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities. See also Information for Dual Nationals below.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are range from imprisonment and/or fine to death.

Homosexuality is illegal. Penalties for acts of sodomy range from imprisonment to death.

The death penalty can also be imposed for murder and some terrorism-related offences.

Some offences, including consuming alcohol in public, slander and adultery, are punishable with corporal punishment (lashing).

It is illegal to photograph government buildings, military personnel and installations, including airports and equipment, and other sensitive infrastructure. Military sites are not always clearly marked or defined.

Preaching religion other than Islam in public (except in churches) and attempting to convert Muslims is illegal.

There are restrictions on the sale of alcohol and pork. Customs authorities at border entry points will confiscate these products and in some cases travellers have been detained at borders because of the smell of alcohol on their breath.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are strict Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Yemen. Any disrespect for Islam will cause great offence. You should be modest in both your dress and behaviour. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Women are advised to wear a headscarf and cover their arms and legs, while men should avoid wearing shorts or unbuttoned shirts.

Non-Muslims may not enter mosques in Yemen.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. See our Ramadan 2010 Travel Bulletin for further information.

Public displays of affection may cause offence.

It is generally unacceptable for unmarried couples to live together. Hotels may refuse accommodation to couples unable to provide proof of marriage.

Dual Nationality

Yemen does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Yemeni dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Australian/Yemeni dual nationals may be required to complete national service obligations if they visit Yemen. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Yemen before you travel.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visas are no longer granted on arrival in Yemen. Visa conditions change without notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Yemen for the most up-to-date information.

If you are arriving from a country infected with yellow fever, you will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate to be granted entry into Yemen,

If a traveller's passport contains evidence of entry to Israel, or another country's border crossing points with Israel, entry to Yemen will be denied.

Local customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the import or export of items such as alcohol, firearms, pornography and antiquities.

Children under 18 years must have their father's permission to leave the country, regardless of the status of their parents' marriage and who has been granted custody.

Women in Yemen can be subjected to strict family controls and may be prevented from leaving the country. A Yemeni husband may legally prevent his wife from leaving the country, regardless of her nationality.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of medical facilities in Yemen is limited and very basic outside the major cities of Sana'a and Aden. Private health care facilities generally require payment at the time of treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident or for complex procedures, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities could be necessary. Medical evacuation costs are considerable.

Malaria occurs throughout Yemen, except in areas above 2,000 metres. Chloroquine-resistant strains of malaria have been reported. Other insect-borne diseases (including dengue, filariasis and leishmaniasis) are common. We recommend you take prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using an insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, measles, schistosomiasis, polio and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to have vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The altitude in the Sana'a region can cause problems for travellers, particularly those who suffer from lung, heart or chest problems.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including some in the Middle East. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions, see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Yemen. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Saudi Arabia:

Australian Embassy
Abdullah Bin Hozafa Al-Shami Avenue
Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966 1) 4887788
Facsimile: (966 1) 4887973
Website: www.saudiarabia.embassy.gov.au

The working week is Saturday to Wednesday, in accordance with local practice.

If you are travelling to Yemen, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.