Algeria: US Embassy warns its nationals against traveling to Tindouf

On February 19, 2024, 6:09 PM

The American Embassy in Algeria issued, Monday, February 19, an urgent alert from the Diplomatic Security Service (SSD, security service of the United States Department of State), warning their nationals against any travel to Tindouf, a commune in western Algeria.

The alert mentions immediate perils from February 28, surrounding the so-called Sahara marathon, an ultra-distance ultra-trail using routes reputed to be dangerous or used by notorious criminal gangs. Among the dangers mentioned is the risk of kidnapping.

The horrendous events often take place in difficult weather conditions.

The SSD, responsible for protecting American diplomatic and consular missions in and around a hundred countries, recommends Americans avoid the area, be aware of their surroundings, stay alert in locations frequented by tourists/Westerners, make contingency plans to leave, review their personal security plans, to have travel documents up to date and easily accessible and carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current visa.

SSD regularly refers to the area around Tindouf as dangerous, especially when adequate security is not guaranteed amid other tensions. Algeria does not fully guarantee the security of its vast territory or its borders.