US warns travelers to reconsider visits to scenic destination amid rising security concerns
Skyscrapers and buildings on the city skyline in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. The United Nations COP29 climate change conference runs through Nov. 22. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images
WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department is urging Americans to reconsider travel to Azerbaijan, citing heightened risks near its southern border with Iran, as well as concerns over armed conflict, terrorism and landmines in parts of the country.
Dig deeper:
Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic in the South Caucasus where Eastern Europe meets Western Asia, remains under a Level 3 U.S. travel advisory, meaning Americans are urged to reconsider travel due to safety and security concerns. Known for its mud volcanoes and striking landscapes, the country has drawn a niche crowd of adventurous tourists in recent years.
The updated advisory adds new cautions, including a warning to avoid the southern border with Iran because of the risk of armed conflict. Azerbaijan borders Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran, and officials say the area has faced an ongoing threat of Iranian drone and missile activity since U.S.-Iran tensions escalated in late February.
What they're saying:
"Do not travel to the southern border region due to risk of armed conflict, unless this is your best overland exit from Iran," the advisory states. It also warns that terrorism remains a concern in Azerbaijan, noting that individuals "may attack with little or no warning."
U.S. officials further caution against travel to the Armenian-Azeri border "due to the risk of landmines," adding that "landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region" and are often unmarked, making them difficult to detect.
Additional areas cited for landmine risks include Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojali, Khojavend, Lachın, Shusha and Zangilan.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department for further comment.
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. The information in this story is primarily based on the U.S. State Department’s updated travel advisory for Azerbaijan issued on April 28. This story was reported from Los Angeles.