As the world got confronted with the coronavirus pandemic, most countries decided to close their borders to avoid further spread of the virus. But while Covid-19 has become a major threat to the world, other criminal and environmental threats remain issues that pose travel concerns in most countries. In fact, despite the Covid-19 issue, violence is ragging in most countries ; rather it is civil war, or criminal activities. Despite the United Nations initiative calling for a global ceasefire ; violence has continued in some conflict zones, posing threats to travelers and local civilian’s lives.

Here are the Most Dangerous Countries for Travel

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1 – Libya

Libya has been ongoing a very dangerous security and unstable political situation. Chaos followed since the 2011 revolution, which resulted in the ousting and killing of the former leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Two Governments have been disputing the country, notably the Government of National Unity (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj, against the Libyan National Army (LNA) of Marshal Haftar. While the Fayez al-Sarraj army is recognized by the United Nations, Marshal Haftar also has strong allies around the world, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia. Thousands of civilians have been killed since the war started. The UN envoy to Libya reported that the conflict is “severely impacting civilians in all parts of the country”. According to the UN, at least 650 civilians were killed or wounded by late 2019, and nearly 900,000 people left in need for assistance. Clashes are much fiercer in and around the capital, Tripoli.

The United States government recommends citizens: Not to Travel to Libya.

 

2 – Yemen

Yemen is exposed to a very worrying security situation, due to a complex armed conflict. A violent civil war has been ragging in the country since March 2015, opposing the Houthi Movement, and the Saudi-led military coalition. The Saudi-led coalition supports a government, which is internationally recognized, and loyal to Saudi Arabia ; while the Houthi Movement forces are backed by Iran. Yemeni is rather a country of proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Over 10,000 civilians have been killed in the fighting while some 3 million have been displaced. The Saudi-led coalition has conducted thousands of airstrikes in Yemen since 2015, while Houthi fighters retaliate with armed assaults and rocket fire. Strikes have hit schools, hospitals, and markets. Foreign travelers are highly exposed in Yemen and in areas near the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The Government of Canada advises to AVOID ALL TRAVEL to Yemen.

 

3 – Iraq

Iraq is undergoing a persistent volatile security situation. Travelers are highly exposed to security risks in Iraq. Indeed, despite the official defeat of ISIS, there are still active terrorist groups in the country. In fact, since the US-led coalition halted its yearslong campaign against the Islamic State in January 2020, the terrorist group has been gaining ground in Iraq, reinforcing its presence in provinces such as Kirkuk, Salaheddine and Diyala.

Furthermore, pro-Iran Shia militias, which are backed by Iran, also pose a threat to Westerners, particularly U.S. citizens. In fact, The Popular Mobilisation Units, which is supported by Iran, has vowed to expel US forces from Iraq. They have launched several rocket attacks targeting U.S. military bases in Iraq as well as other Western facilities. Indeed, it was following rounds of attacks by Iran-backed militias against U.S. troops that the coalition decided to halt its campaign against the Islamic State in order to protect themselves against threats from Shia militias.

Foreign travelers are particularly targeted in Iraq, whether via assaults, bomb attacks or kidnapping.

The United States government recommends citizens to: Not Travel to Iraq.

 

4 – Somalia

Somalia is highly exposed to terrorist attacks as well as to other criminal activities. Groups affiliated with the Islamic State are present in Somalia. There are several armed and terrorist groups in Somalia. The most active Jihadist group is the Al-Shabaab movement, which controls large areas in the south and centre of the country. Indeed, the Somalian government has limited authority outside of the capital, Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab militiamen very often conduct attacks in strategic areas around the country, including in the capital Mogadishu, targeting civilians, government officials, security forces as well as sites such as hotels, airports, police stations. Southern Somalia is the most dangerous region in the country. While terrorists are active there, violent criminals also operate in southern Somalia, where business travelers are exposed to extortion, targeted assassinations, etc.

Methods used are : suicide bombings, armed assaults, landmines.

 

5 – Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been undergoing a very volatile security situation, with a violent conflict opposing various actors : the Afghan government, the Taliban movement, a U.S. international coalition, and terrorist groups.

Scores of civilians have been killed in the Afghan civil war which began in 2001. The security situation remains very precarious all over the country, including the capital Kabul as well as provinces such as Ghazni, Kunduz, Badghis, Nangarhar, Wardak, Helmand. Taliban fighters have conducted deadly attacks against Afghan government officials as well as against military facilities of the U.S. coalition. Attack also targeted markets, hotels, hospitals, and other strategic buildings. Several terrorist groups also operate in Afghanistan, including al-Qaeda militants, and some Islamist fighters affiliated with the Taliban such as the Haqqani network. Even though the US and the Taliban signed an agreement in February 2020 for the withdrawal of US and coalition troops from Afghanistan, the security situation remains fragile.

The threat to foreign travelers from terrorist or criminal violence, including kidnappings, remains high in Afghanistan.

 

6 – Syria

Syria has become a risky destination due to the chaos provoked by the Syrian civil war which began on March 15, 2011.

The Syrian Civil War sparked following violent waves of antigovernment protests calling for the removal of the Assad regime. As the protest rallies were being violently suppressed, it escalated into a violent armed conflict opposing the loyal Syrian government troops, to rebel forces, including foreign backers.

Although President Bashar al-Assad forces have regained control of most of the previously lost territories, sporadic attacks have been reported, including in the capital Damascus. The situation is much more critical in the Idlib region, where anti-government rebels and jihadist groups are highly active. While the Syrian regime is backed by Russia and Iran, rebels have received support from the Turkish government.

Assad forces very often conduct air raids targeting rebel positions. Jihadists groups are also operative in Syria, and pose a problem to foreign travelers. Indeed, even though the Islamic State’s ‘caliphate’ has been eliminated, the group remains active in Syria. Jihadist militants very often conduct attacks using roadside improvised explosive device (IED), suicide bombing, armed assaults. Foreign travelers are at high risk in Syria. Kidnappings of westerners are frequent across the country, and are usually done either by insurgents, terrorists or pro-government forces.

 

7 – South Sudan

South Sudan is exposed to a dangerous security situation triggered by the civil war which began in 2013. Violence is perpetrated by both rebel groups and pro-government forces. Even though a peace deal was signed in September 2018 between President Salva Kiir and opposition leaders headed by Riek Machar, the risk of further violent armed clashes are likely. Indeed, several other militia leaders representing other rebel groups were excluded from the peace agreement signed on September 12. The capital Juba is indeed one of the most exposed to violence, particularly due to the presence of fighters loyal to each of rival leaders. Crime is also very high throughout South Sudan, including kidnapping, armed robbery, carjacking, burglary, etc.

 

8 – DR. Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is considered unsafe for travel due to its high crime rate, as well as health risks. The country has long been dealing with the Ebola outbreak, which has claimed nearly 2,000 lives in the country, according to the World Health Organization.

Yet the country is also dealing with a volatile political environment, even though some hopes have surged following the political crisis that affected the country from 2016 to 2019. Nevertheless, tensions are still persistent between political formations in the capital Kinshasa, as well as in other cities around the country.

Violent crime, including kidnaping, armed robbery, home invasions and pickpocketing are frequent in the country, including in the capital but worse provinces, particularly in the cities of Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, Bukavu and Matadi. Numerous armed groups are active in the eastern part of the country, particularly the Kivu and Ituri provinces.

 

9 – Venezuela

Venezuela is considered dangerous due to political instability, violent crime, and civil unrest.

The country has one of the highest rates of violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery, and carjacking. The country was affected by a serious political crisis after Parliament’s President Juan Guaidó proclaimed himself “the country’s incumbent president” on January 23, 2019. The rivalry between President Nicolás Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaidó provoked serious concerns in the country as well as worldwide. Series of violent demonstrations initiated by the opposition were severely repressed by the security forces, while scores of people were killed or arrested. Scenes of looting and vandalism are frequent during protest rallies, as well as other criminal acts. Shortages of food, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies are common in Venezuela.

 

10 – Central African Republic (CAR)

Central African Republic (CAR) has been exposed to a situation of chaos since 2013, following a violent rebellion that resulted in a lasting armed conflict. Violence is endemic in the country, even in the capital Bangui, despite a large presence of security forces.

The crime rate is high, notably burglary, violent robbery, carjacking and kidnapping.

Armed groups are particularly active in areas such as the prefectures of Kémo, Vakaga, Ouham, Nana-Grébizi, Bamingui-Bangoran, Mbomou, Haute-Mbomou, Haute-Kotto, Basse-Kotto, Waka.