U.S. travel to Somalia, Eritrea unsafe

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department is warning American citizens against traveling to Somalia and Eritrea.

The State Department says terrorist attacks in Somalia and restrictions on travel outside Eritrean capital, Asmara, and increased tensions along Eritrea's borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti make the countries unsafe for Americans.

There is no U.S. Embassy or other U.S. diplomatic presence in Somalia, so the federal government is unable to easily provide services to U.S. citizens there. In Eritrea, the U.S. Embassy is open to provide emergency services for Americans.

In Somalia, kidnappings, murders, illegal roadblocks, banditry are common in many regions. Additionally, inter-clan fighting can erupt with little warning, the State Department said in a statement.

The Eritrean government requires all visitors and residents to apply 10 days in advance for permission to travel outside Asmara city limits. As a result, the U.S. Embassy cannot provide emergency consular assistance outside of Asmara.

Also, Eritrea does not inform the U.S. Embassy when American citizens have been arrested or detained.