RASC News Agency: The U.S. Department of State has issued a warning and advisory to its citizens, strongly discouraging travel to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. As outlined in a press release from the U.S. Department of State on Monday, December 18, various “intimidating groups” operate in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, posing a significant risk of detainment and imprisonment for American citizens, as assessed by the department. The statement discloses that the Taliban prevents the department from assessing the health conditions of detained Americans, alleging that these individuals are denied access to medical services.
The U.S. Department of State’s announcement highlights that aid workers and personnel involved in human affairs have faced harassment, mistreatment, or imprisonment by the Taliban. Furthermore, foreign activities are likely to be regarded with suspicion, leading to arbitrary detentions without clear cause. According to the announcement, the operations of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul have been halted since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Consequently, the U.S. government is incapable of providing services to American citizens in Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of State continues to advise commercial enterprises and traders, even those with licenses, about the ongoing risk of detainment and imprisonment in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
As of now, the Taliban has not responded to the statements issued by the U.S. Department of State, and the precise number of American citizens in Taliban prisons remains undisclosed. This advisory aligns with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, which, similar to the U.S., cautioned its citizens against traveling to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan due to security concerns and the unstable political situation.
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