The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Lebanon, urging U.S. citizens not to travel to the country due to an increasingly volatile and unpredictable security situation. This update follows the ordered departure of non-mission-employed eligible family members (EFMs) and authorized departure for mission-employed EFMs and non-essential U.S. direct hire (USDH) employees.
The advisory notes that U.S. Embassy personnel in Beirut are restricted from personal travel without advance permission, with additional travel restrictions potentially imposed with little or no notice due to heightened security concerns.
Following recent airstrikes within Beirut, the embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights are still available, albeit at reduced capacity. The embassy warns that if the security situation worsens, commercial options may become unavailable and it may not be able to assist those who choose to remain.
For those who decide to stay, the embassy advises being prepared to shelter in place if conditions deteriorate further. It also emphasizes that individuals in southern Lebanon, near the Syrian border, or in refugee settlements should depart immediately due to increased risks in these areas.
The advisory highlights multiple dangers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and armed conflict. Specific incidents cited include cross-border exchanges of fire between Hizballah and Israel since October 2023 and various attacks throughout September 2024 which have exacerbated the security environment.
"Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon," states the advisory. "Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."
The Lebanese government is noted as being unable to guarantee safety against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict. The advisory details how disputes can escalate quickly into violence without warning.
U.S. citizens are advised against attending demonstrations or large gatherings due to their potential for rapid escalation into violence. Recent protests have blocked major roads including routes between downtown Beirut and Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Additional guidance includes keeping travel documents up-to-date and easily accessible, avoiding unknown metal objects due to unexploded ordnance risks, staying alert in locations frequented by Westerners, monitoring local media for breaking events, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and reviewing both the Country Security Report for Lebanon and CDC's Travel Health Information page.
The advisory concludes with specific warnings about southern Lebanon near Saida city where daily cross-border fire continues causing significant casualties; the Lebanon-Syria border where clashes occur frequently; and refugee settlements prone to violence.
