Is Yemen safe for an American?

April 6, 2008 6:41 PM

In a day, my husband is supposed to travel to Yemen for a conference. He is only staying in the capital (Sana'a). He is American. I figure its pretty safe, what do you think?

So my husband is in Qatar right now. In a day, he is supposed to travel to Yemen for a conference. He is only staying in the capital (Sana'a). He is American. To complicate things, today there was an explosion at a housing complex where many foreigners live. The US State Dept has a travel warning advising Americans from non-essential travel. A month ago, there was an explosion at the US embassy. The conference he is going to is being held at the hotel where he is staying. But, he would like to do some sightseeing if reasonable.

I'm a little concerned, but have figured the risks are still pretty low. I try not to buy into the whole "live your life out of fear" or the hype about terrorists, war on terror, "evil doers" etc. I don't think all Yemenis or Middle Easterners or muslims hate the US or would do something to hurt a westerner. But, I would like some feedback on my logic because he could still cancel the trip. OK, so here are my thoughts (he pretty much agrees):

- kidnapping: risk is pretty slim because kidnapping of westerners has decreased since 2000, seem to occur mostly in more remote areas, and he has been offered security guards for when he leaves the hotel and conference.
- bombs: places with highest risk seem to be embassy, places where westerners live or work, hotels, touristy spots (which could be sights, restaurants, cafes...anywhere westerners are known to frequent). Security guards are not going to do much good defending an explosion. I imagine the hotel has lots of security (metal detectors, etc...when we went to a conference in Istanbul they even checked taxis pulling up). So, he's probably ok there. I told him its probably best not to hang out at restaurants, cafes, etc. But, should he not go to any sights? The old part of town that is touristy?

What do you think? Would you not risk it? Or, after weighing the risks, say they are still low enough to go? Anything I'm leaving out when factoring all of the above?

posted by cloudgazer to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

I am wholly unqualified to give you personal security advice. But, if it was my wife, I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over it.

Probability-wise, the drive from your house to the airport is far more dangerous than a terrorist attack in Sana'a.

Anyway, life is risk.
posted by chrisalbon at 6:53 PM on April 6

I'm traveling to a couple of places on that US-don't-travel-list soon. I'm not at all bothered.
Like chrisalbon pointed out, if you made what-could-go-wrong-lists for the drive from your house to the airport, you'd worry about that too.
posted by meerkatty at 7:06 PM on April 6

My friend went on a Christian mission to Yemen a few years ago, and he told me he has never been to a place more indifferent to his presence. All of the men wear curved, sheathed swords on their persons. More for decoration and tribal trivia than for battle. The country is awash with Khat, a mountain plant that produces a mild high. I have never tried it but I am sure your husband will be invited to a home for a session of chewing. If he gets invited, he should go the day of the invitation and be prepared by bringing a good load of Khat from the market and an armload of sweets or drinks (no alcohol, though there may be some at the house and he would be free to imbibe as a non-Muslim.) According to my friend, the whole country goes into a standstill in the afternoons because of khat. It's very difficult to find a place in the country that isn't wracked by the stuff. Women don't use it, but most men do.

I read a very funny dispatch from Djibouti a few years ago that said that the daily flights from Yemen of Khat had been delayed for a week because of stormy weather and the men, deprived of their entertainment suddenly started doing DIY on their houses and getting back to work in the afternoons. But when the first planes started to land again, many families were left with half-painted bathrooms and half-hung doors.
posted by parmanparman at 10:07 PM on April 6

I'd say, all other things being equal, he should be fine. I get spammed by classified anti-terrorism bulletins all the time at work. I don't remember having seen anything particularly interesting from Yemen in a while, though I don't pay that much attention since I'm not planning to be in the area.

However, that all assumes that his conference and reason for being there are pretty boring. If it's some sort of big honchos-of-the-western-corporate-world thing, or military related, it might be best to lay off the sightseeing.

I would call the State Department (US Embassy in Yemen) and see if he can get a good briefing on Sana'a - latest assessment, neighborhoods to go and not go, recommended travel modes (taxi, rent car, etc.). At least let them know when he will be in the country and get acquainted with someone there at the embassy he can call later, if he has any other questions.
posted by ctmf at 10:37 PM on April 6

Hi cloudgazer!
I know how worrisome it can be when you open the Newspaper and have headlines like these staring back at you about the place your husband's going to visit in a day or two, so I thought I'd do a little bit of scouring and post some stuff to hopefully put your mind at ease (hope you don't mind).

Not to turn things into a political debate, but here's what someone had to say on Andrew Sullivan's blog a couple of days ago. I also liked the stuff posted on this forum by foreigners visiting Yemen (Sana'a) recently. And here's one final comment from another American tourist, who although had a hard time at the market, she thought the people were quite warm and friendly (her words).

So, I hope your husband does have a very safe and enjoyable trip, and that he gets to see Yemen and the Yemeni people for the kind and caring souls that they are, sans a few troublemakers who've tarnished everybody else's image.

(I'm part Yemeni, so I may be a bit biased by the way!)
posted by hadjiboy at 2:28 AM on April 7 [1 favorite]

parmanparman, speaking of Khat/Qat: have you read this?
posted by hadjiboy at 2:33 AM on April 7

parmanparman, speaking of Khat/Qat: have you read this?

No.
posted by parmanparman at 11:17 AM on April 7

thanks for the replies. funny, as I was writing my question I was thinking "driving in my car is probably more dangerous than going to Yemen." And, thank you hadjiboy...those links were helpful. Interesting view about Barak Obama too..."if a black man can become President, then maybe the story of America isn't a lie after all." Actually, I am a bit jealous that I cannot go to Yemen (at least this time), it sounds like a wonderful country.
posted by cloudgazer at 11:19 AM on April 7