KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against traveling to Afghanistan due to serious security threats, including terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, detention, and criminal activities.
In the advisory released on Friday, January 3, Canadian authorities urged citizens currently in Afghanistan to seek shelter in safe locations and exercise heightened caution, emphasizing that they are responsible for their own safety as Canada has no diplomatic or consular presence in Afghanistan.
Canadian citizens in need of assistance are advised to contact the Emergency Watch and Response Center.
“Terrorist actors remain active in Afghanistan. Attacks could occur at any time, including in Kabul and other major cities,” the advisory noted.
It further highlighted the high risk of kidnapping for foreign nationals by terrorist groups, stating, “They have kidnapped and sometimes killed Westerners, including tourists, journalists, teachers, doctors, and non-government organization workers.”
The advisory also highlighted that foreigners and individuals associated with Western countries are at risk of arbitrary arrest and detention by the Taliban, particularly those with ties to the previous government or those found violating Islamic laws enforced since the Taliban’s return to power.
Similar warnings have been issued by other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, and Australia, citing risks such as terrorist attacks and kidnapping, including by the Taliban.
Last year, the U.S. Department of State issued a similar advisory, highlighting the presence of multiple terrorist groups in Afghanistan and warning that U.S. citizens face a high risk of kidnapping and wrongful detention.
The Taliban authorities have not commented on the Canadian advisory. However, in response to a previous U.S. advisory, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed such warnings, claiming Afghanistan is safe for foreign nationals and that the concerns are based on incorrect information.
