Car rental Tajikistan - Safety and Security

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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Tajikistan has suffered from severe security problems since gaining independence. Instability in Afghanistan has adversely affected the security situation in the Central Asian countries sharing a border, including Tajikistan. It is currently unclear how anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan have affected the risk of future terrorist actions in Tajikistan. In addition, organized crime continues to be a serious problem in the capital city of Dushanbe and its environs, and security forces have a strong presence in Dushanbe and areas to the south. Supporters of extremist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Al-Qaeda, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement remain active in Central Asia. These groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. Government or private interests in the region, including in Tajikistan. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because of increased security at official U.S. facilities, terrorists are seeking softer civilian targets such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, and planes. In 1999 and 2000, IMU fighters used Tajik territory to stage cross-border attacks into the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan, taking American, Japanese, and Kyrgyz citizens hostage in the process.

Sporadic violence does occur in Tajikistan. The violence is largely the result of fighting between heavily armed, rival clan-based factions competing for control of markets and narcotics trafficking. Past incidents have included several spontaneous shootouts between factions in public marketplaces (particularly the Green Market), a marketplace bombing in April 2001, and a suicide bombing in September 2001. Though such incidents have not specifically targeted Americans, innocent bystanders have been injured or killed during these attacks. Criminal and terrorist groups in Tajikistan do not distinguish between civilian and official targets, and for this reason, U.S. travelers should avoid demonstrations, places where military personnel congregate, and crowds. Americans should be aware that the danger increases greatly after dark.

In addition, there have been clashes between government troops and criminal groups outside of Dushanbe. In summer 2001, the Tajik government conducted security operations in order to eliminate one such criminal group that was responsible for the June 2001 hostage-taking of foreign aid workers (including an American citizen) in the Karategin Valley. This operation resulted in the deaths or arrests of many of the group's members. Other Tajik security initiatives have included a campaign to disarm factional militias operating in Dushanbe.

Outside of Dushanbe, the situation has generally remained calm in the northern province of Sughd (formerly Leninabad) and in Gorno-Badakhshan in the east. However, the security situation in former opposition-held areas such as the Karategin Valley remains fluid. In the past, renegade groups in these areas have targeted foreigners for violence. U.S. citizens should check with the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe for current information before traveling outside Dushanbe.

Security personnel may at times place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephones and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with the authorities.

From time to time, the U.S. Embassy may suspend or otherwise restrict the travel of U.S. Embassy personnel to Tajikistan and within Tajikistan. The Department of State relocated U.S. Embassy operations from Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Almaty, Kazakhstan in 1998 due to instability in Tajikistan, threats against Americans and American interests worldwide, and the limited ability to secure the safety of U.S. Embassy personnel in Dushanbe. American diplomatic personnel currently reside in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and travel frequently to Tajikistan.

Note: U.S. citizens should check the Consular Information Sheets and current Travel Warnings or Public Announcements for nearby countries, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan.and Uzbekistan on a regular basis. The U.S. Embassy in each of those countries can provide up-to-date information about local crime and safety issues. Information about how to contact each Embassy directly is available on the Internet at the Consular Affairs home page, http://travel.state.gov, or by calling the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe.