The US government recommends avoiding all travel to Somalia. Kidnapping, murder, illegal roadblocks, banditry and other violent incidents and threats to foreigners can occur in any region.
Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia have demonstrated their intent to attack air operations at Mogadishu International Airport. In February, Al-Shabaab announced that it had merged with Al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab-planned assassinations, suicide bombings and indiscriminate armed attacks are frequent in populated areas.
Interclan and interfactional fighting flares up with little or no warning. Armed conflicts among rival militias are prevalent in southern Somalia, particularly in and around Mogadishu. This has resulted in the deaths of countless Somali nationals and the displacement of more than one million people.
Avoid sailing closer than 300 miles from the coast of Somalia and off the Horn of Africa. Vessels risk being seized by pirates and having their crews held for ransom.
The State Department advises travelers contemplating visiting Somalia to obtain kidnap-and-recovery insurance as well as medical-evacuation insurance.