Yemen
Country Profile
KEY FACTS
Capital : Sanaa
Language : Arabic is the official language
Ethnic Groups : Predominantly Arab, with a small Persian minority along the coast.
Religion : Islam is the official religion (47 percent Sunni, 53 percent Shi'ite).
Time Zone : GMT +3
Climate : The mountainous region has moderate to plentiful rainfall between March and September and mild winters and warm, moist but usually sunny summers. In the lowland areas along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden the weather is hot and humid throughout the year with little rainfall.
Telephone dialing code : (+) 967
Currency : Rial
ADVICE FOR THIS COUNTRY | Terrorism/Security |
Latest News | Travel |
Media Safety News | Health |
Security News | Natural Disaster |
Landmines |
Terrorism/Security
There remains a high threat from terrorism in Yemen. You should take all the necessary steps to protect your safety, and you should make sure that you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance in public places and you should exercise particular caution in places frequented by foreigners and expatriates such as hotels and restaurants, which we judge to be of particular risk, incoluding in Sana'a and other urban areas.
You should avoid all but essential travel to the Governorates of Sa'dah, Marib, al Jawf, Shabwah and Hadramaut due to the threat of terrorism and tribal violence.
Attacks could be indiscrimate including against Western interests, such as military compounds, military and oil facilities, trasport and aviation intersts.
There have been a number of other terrorist incidents in Yemen over the past 10 years. Recent examples of such attacks include:
On 30 April 2008, there was a mortar attack against the Italian Embassy in Sana'a.
On 10 April 2008 an improvised explosive device exploded at an oil company headquarters in Sana'a, and a second device was disarmed.
On 6 April 2008 there was a mortar attack against a residential compound in Sana'a.
On 18 March 2008 there was a grenade attack against the US Embassy in Sana'a.
On 18 January 2008, two Belgian and two Yemeni nationals were shot dead, with four other Belgians seriously injured, in an incident in the Governorate of Hadramaut.
On 9 July 2007, an explosive device was found in Aden but was not detonated.
On 2 July 2007, eight Spanish and two Yemeni nationals were killed, and a number of others injured, in a suicide bomb attack in Ma’rib, 100 km east of Sana'a.
Kidnaps
Some tribes are heavily armed and have a tradition of kidnapping foreigners to publicise their grievances or to further their case in disputes with the government. Such kidnappings have occurred in the capital Sana’a as well as in the Governorates of al-Jawf, Abyan, Sa'dah, Dhamar, ‘Amran, Ma’rib and Shabwah. You should exercise caution when travelling outside urban areas and you should not travel outside cities at night. We strongly recommend that travel outside the major cities is only undertaken with an organised group accompanied by a military escort.
The last kidnap incident took place in the Governorate of Shabwah, on 17 August 2008, when a French engineer of Algerian origin was kidnapped and later released. Also in Ma'rib Governorate on 7 May 2008, two Japanese nationals were kidnapped. The hostages were released unharmed.
Local Laws and Customs
Local laws reflect the fact that Yemen is a Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
You should dress modestly and you should not consume alcohol in public.
Care should be exercised using cameras anywhere near military or religious sites, or taking pictures of people without their consent.
Crime
Incidents of violent crime against foreigners are rare, but the easy availability of weapons makes it a possibility. Tribal disputes over land are common, including in major cities, and may involve the use of weapons. You should exercise caution at all times.
Travel
Visa Requirements
Foreign nationals require visas to enter Yemen. Visas may be obtained in advance from the Yemeni Embassy in your country or at the airport upon arrival (tourist visas).
The Yemeni authorities have no minimum validity requirements for passports being used to enter Yemen.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.
Consular registration
Register with your embassy to tell them when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
Money
ATMs are very scarce outside Sana’a. You are advised to bring US dollars in cash as the easiest convertible currency.
Driving (Left/Right) : Right
Road Safety
Air Safety
Sea/River Safety
There is the possibility of attacks against ships and in particular yachts off the Yemen coast, especially in the Gulf of Aden. Incidents of piracy have also been known to occur in parts of the Red Sea.
Local Travel
If you wish to travel outside Sana'a you may need prior permission from the Yemen Tourist Police. Travel to the provinces of al Jawf, Ma’rib, Sa’dah, ‘Amran, al-Baydah, Abyan, Shabwah, Hadhramaut and al-Mahrah are currently likely to require such permission. However, the areas for which permission is needed in order to visit can change at short notice. Travel permits may take at least 24 hours to be issued and are easiest to obtain through a travel agent who can organise local tours. You should be aware that the consular assistance we can offer in these areas may be severely limited due to the restrictions on travel.
There have been disturbances in Aden, Lahij and al-Dhali', which have resulted in closures of the Aden-Sana'a road. These have been short-lived but if you intend to travel by road you should check that the road is open before starting your journey.
Natural Disasters
Nothing to Report
Health
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Yemen and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.
Diseases
Polio and malaria are common to Yemen. Polio is present in some Red Sea coastal towns and malaria is also present in low-lying areas along the Red Sea.
There have been reports of a dengue fever outbreak in the Arabian Gulf coast and in the western coastal towns of al-Hodeidah and Mokha and the hill area of al-Dali’. The most recent outbreak occurred in Shabwa province, in southern Yemen, where nearly 1,000 people have been infected with dengue since mid-May 2008. Three of the province's 17 districts have reported cases: Mayfaa, Hotaib, and al-Saeed.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
Medical supplies and facilities
Medical facilities in Yemen, particularly away from the main towns, are poor.
Landmines
For more information on landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), consult the Landmine Monitor, a research and monitoring initiative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the de facto monitoring regime for the Mine Ban Treaty. It independently and impartially monitors and reports on the use of mines by the different actors (Government, Non-State armed groups). It also provides information about identification, marking and fencing of affected areas as well as updated landmines and ERW casualties.