US State Department Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel to Artsakh, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan

The US State Department warns its citizens against traveling to Artsakh due to the ongoing military conflict in the region. The agency's statement specifically mentions that gunfire and, at times, the use of artillery systems—including landmines and mortars—annually result in deaths and injuries.

The State Department advises avoiding roads near the line of contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border.

The US government is unable to provide emergency services to American citizens in Nagorno-Karabakh as US government personnel face travel restrictions to the area, as reported by Hetq.am.

Furthermore, the State Department has advised citizens to refrain from traveling to Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan due to the spread of coronavirus. According to official information, no cases of coronavirus have been reported in Turkmenistan, while there have been six confirmed cases in Azerbaijan.

The agency's announcement states that the medical treatment methods in Turkmenistan do not meet American standards. Travelers may be forced to undergo tests that are unrelated to the coronavirus. For this reason, the US agency urges its citizens to decline any tests that are not related to COVID-19.

In the case of Azerbaijan, the State Department notes that the country's medical assistance methods also do not comply with US requirements. The official message states that Azerbaijan is a vulnerable country concerning terrorist activities. Terrorists may strike without warning, targeting tourist sites, transport hubs, markets, shopping centers, local government offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, pilgrimage sites, parks, large sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.