November 18, 2011

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for unrest in Bahrain. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert dated August 19, 2011, and expires on January 19, 2012.   

All travelers to Bahrain face increased scrutiny from Bahraini authorities, and the Government of Bahrain has refused to allow some U.S. citizens permission to enter Bahrain. The airport remains open and operational. 

Following the lifting of the State of National Safety on June 1, 2011, Bahrain Defense Force armored vehicles and personnel withdrew from the streets of Bahrain; however, Ministry of Interior-manned checkpoints are present in some areas. Spontaneous demonstrations occur in some neighborhoods, particularly at night and on weekends, and sometimes result in violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Travel in and around Bahrain could become dangerous without advance warning. 

The U.S. Embassy restricts its employees from traveling to specific areas and advises all U.S. citizens to do the same. We continue to urge U.S. citizens to follow the latest security guidance and to avoid demonstrations. Please check our Demonstration Notices where the latest information and security guidance along with the latest map outlining the recommended areas of travel can be found. 

There are no indications that Westerners or U.S. citizens are being threatened or targeted, but U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security by knowing the locations of police and fire stations, hospitals, and the U.S. Embassy. The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. If you are in immediate danger, call the police at 999.  

The U.S. Embassy in Manama can be reached at (973) 1724-2700; the after-hours emergency number is (973) 1724-2957; the fax number is (973) 1725-6242. The U.S. Embassy in Manama is located at Building No. 979, Road 3119, Block 331 Zinj District, Manama. Demonstration Notices can be found on the Embassy’s website.  

The U.S. Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens Services (such as passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarials) by appointment via our website, bahrain.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens with routine inquiries can write tomanamaconsular@state.gov. Emergency passport services can be arranged via email or by calling the Embassy directly. 

U.S. citizens in Bahrain are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Those enrolled in STEP receive emails regarding Messages and Emergency Messages for U.S. citizens as well as Demonstration Notices. These messages and notices are placed on our website at the same time that they are sent via email to STEP enrollees. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll in person at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. 

Updated information on travel and security in Bahrain may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Bahrain, as well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which also contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.