In light of the changing security situation in the region, the U.S. Embassy clarifies current guidance to U.S. Citizens of potentially dangerous areas along Jordan’s border with Syria and Iraq. All U.S. government personnel on official travel must receive prior permission to visit any area within 10 kilometers from the Jordan-Syria border. For context, the 10 kilometer area does not include the tourist site of Umm Qais or the city of Irbid. The town of Ramtha does fall within the 10 kilometer line.
U.S. government personnel must also have permission for official travel on Highway 10 east of the town of Ruwayshid toward the Iraqi border, due to Jordanian military activity, known smuggling routes, and a lack of emergency facilities. The same restrictions are in place for the Za’atri and Azraq refugee camps, due to a fluid security environment. U.S. government employees on personal travel are not permitted to visit the border areas or the camps, and the Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid both as well.
Finally, based on improved security conditions, the Embassy has revised its guidance on travel to the city of Ma’an and has lifted prior general restrictions on travel to Ma’an.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution,Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, and Country Information for Jordan.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- The U.S. Embassy in Amman is located on Al-Umawiyyeen Street, Abdoun, P.O. Box 354. The telephone number is [962] (6) 590-6000, and the fax number is [962] (6) 592-4102. The after-hours emergency telephone number is [962] (6) 590-6500.
- 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).
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