U.S. Embassy Manama
Security Notice May 23, 2017
There are ongoing Ministry of Interior (MOI) – Police Operations in the Budaiya Highway corridor [from the Burgerland Roundabout west to Budaiya Roundabout, ending where the highway intersects with the Janabiyia Highway] and in around the Diraz Village area. Due to current police action, the Embassy recommends that American citizens stay clear of the Budaiya Highway until those operations are concluded.
Spontaneous demonstrations continue to take place in Bahrain in response to local as well as regional and international developments. Spontaneous and sometimes violent, protest activities may include attempts to disrupt traffic, protests near economic centers, tire fires, throwing of Molotov cocktails and other homemade weapons. Past protests have also included blockades of major highways with burning debris and the establishment of unofficial checkpoints. To counter violent acts and restore order, the Ministry of Interior may utilize crowd control measures. Clashes between security forces and protestors can make travel in and around Bahrain dangerous without advance warning.
There have been no direct threats or attacks on U.S. citizens emerging from this unrest. However, violent protests do pose a risk to American citizens in Bahrain who may inadvertently find themselves in the vicinity of an active protest. We recommend that you continually exercise the appropriate level of security awareness.
If you encounter a large public gathering or demonstration, depart the area immediately.
For further information:
See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Worldwide Travel Alert, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Bahrain Country Specific Information.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Manama, located at Building 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj, at (973) 1724-2700. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is (973) 1724-2957, and the fax number is (973) 1725-6242.
Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
