Hells on Earth
From war to human trafficking, these three spots are among the most dangerous on the planet.
1. Ramadi, Iraq: Although Fallujah, Baghdad, and other cities in this war-torn country have also suffered greatly since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Ramadi (part of the Sunni triangle) remains one of the most dangerous. Roadside bombs, hidden in everyday objects like soda cans and plastic bags, are common in this city, as well as crimes such as kidnappings and carjackings.
2. Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar): In 2007 and 2008, thousands of monks carried out protests against the oppression of Burmese citizens and the corruption of government officials, and the situation only got worse when a cyclone struck last month. The aftermath of the destruction caused the deaths of as many as 100,000 people and wiped out most means of transportation and communication.
3. Tehran, Iran: Due in part to strained U.S. relations with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the State Department no longer maintains an embassy in Iran, so American citizens traveling to Iran need to obtain services from the Swiss embassy. According the CIA, Iran has one of the highest rates of human trafficking. In addition, the Iranian government has been accused of beating and executing the victims.
More Dangerous Places
Listed below are seven more locations you should stay away from at all costs.
4. Darfur region, Sudan: As many as 400,000 people have been killed, and about 2 million have been displaced due to attacks on villages in the Darfur region by rebel militias. Humanitarian organizations say the Sudanese government funds the Janjaweed militia, but officials have denied the claims. American citizens visiting Sudan face ongoing threats (including suicide bombings and kidnappings), particularly in light of the January 2008 murder of an American Embassy official and his Sudanese driver.
5. Kabul, Afghanistan: Afghanistan is probably best known in the U.S. as the hiding place of Osama bin Laden. Although bin Laden may no longer be hiding there, other members of al-Qaeda are said to remain. An incredibly poor country, its biggest business may be the illegal cultivation of poppies and sale of opium, according to the CIA. Suicide and car bombings are common, as are riots and rocket attacks. Kabul International Airport and Kabul-Jalalabad Road are repeatedly subject to attacks.
6. Eastern Congo: Despite having signed a peace accord in late 2002 and the ongoing presence of UN peacekeeping troops, Congolese military and rebel groups continue fighting, which has displaced millions. The State Department warns potential travelers that Congolese troops have been known to stop vehicles at roadblocks and rape, kidnap, or kill the occupants. Highly contagious disease outbreaks (most recently Ebola) pose addition hazards.
7. Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip: Violence and conflict have been ongoing in this region for decades. Multiple attempts have been made at securing peace agreements between Israeli and Palestinian groups. Even so, suicide bombings and rocket attacks happen regularly. U.S. citizens are at particular risk; the American International School in northern Gaza has been attacked at least three times since April 2007. Human Rights Watch says it has documented the use of torture in Israel.
8. Kashmir, Pakistan: Pakistan, India, and China have all laid claims to the region known as Kashmir. In particular, India and Pakistan have waged several wars and conducted nuclear weapons tests. In addition, an earthquake in 2005 greatly damaged this area, making travel even more treacherous. Adding to the turmoil was the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister, during a political rally of her supporters.
9. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: This country was a part of the former Soviet Union. The U.S. heightened security at its embassy after multiple suicide bombings in Tashkent in 2004 and 2005, including one outside the embassy. Human Rights Watch reports that human trafficking and forced prostitution are serious problems, with women being sold for thousands of dollars. According to reports from Transparency International, Uzbekistan’s government is one of the most corrupt in the world and still allows torture.
10. Mogadishu, Somalia: Up to 60 percent of the residents of Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, have fled due to ongoing assaults by Ethiopian troops, according to United Nations estimates. Tens of thousands of fleeing residents have been assaulted and/or raped during their attempts to escape, reports Human Rights Watch. Civilian protests frequently escalate into violent riots.
From war to human trafficking, these three spots are among the most dangerous on the planet.
1. Ramadi, Iraq: Although Fallujah, Baghdad, and other cities in this war-torn country have also suffered greatly since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Ramadi (part of the Sunni triangle) remains one of the most dangerous. Roadside bombs, hidden in everyday objects like soda cans and plastic bags, are common in this city, as well as crimes such as kidnappings and carjackings.
2. Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar): In 2007 and 2008, thousands of monks carried out protests against the oppression of Burmese citizens and the corruption of government officials, and the situation only got worse when a cyclone struck last month. The aftermath of the destruction caused the deaths of as many as 100,000 people and wiped out most means of transportation and communication.
3. Tehran, Iran: Due in part to strained U.S. relations with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the State Department no longer maintains an embassy in Iran, so American citizens traveling to Iran need to obtain services from the Swiss embassy. According the CIA, Iran has one of the highest rates of human trafficking. In addition, the Iranian government has been accused of beating and executing the victims.
More Dangerous Places
Listed below are seven more locations you should stay away from at all costs.
4. Darfur region, Sudan: As many as 400,000 people have been killed, and about 2 million have been displaced due to attacks on villages in the Darfur region by rebel militias. Humanitarian organizations say the Sudanese government funds the Janjaweed militia, but officials have denied the claims. American citizens visiting Sudan face ongoing threats (including suicide bombings and kidnappings), particularly in light of the January 2008 murder of an American Embassy official and his Sudanese driver.
5. Kabul, Afghanistan: Afghanistan is probably best known in the U.S. as the hiding place of Osama bin Laden. Although bin Laden may no longer be hiding there, other members of al-Qaeda are said to remain. An incredibly poor country, its biggest business may be the illegal cultivation of poppies and sale of opium, according to the CIA. Suicide and car bombings are common, as are riots and rocket attacks. Kabul International Airport and Kabul-Jalalabad Road are repeatedly subject to attacks.
6. Eastern Congo: Despite having signed a peace accord in late 2002 and the ongoing presence of UN peacekeeping troops, Congolese military and rebel groups continue fighting, which has displaced millions. The State Department warns potential travelers that Congolese troops have been known to stop vehicles at roadblocks and rape, kidnap, or kill the occupants. Highly contagious disease outbreaks (most recently Ebola) pose addition hazards.
7. Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip: Violence and conflict have been ongoing in this region for decades. Multiple attempts have been made at securing peace agreements between Israeli and Palestinian groups. Even so, suicide bombings and rocket attacks happen regularly. U.S. citizens are at particular risk; the American International School in northern Gaza has been attacked at least three times since April 2007. Human Rights Watch says it has documented the use of torture in Israel.
8. Kashmir, Pakistan: Pakistan, India, and China have all laid claims to the region known as Kashmir. In particular, India and Pakistan have waged several wars and conducted nuclear weapons tests. In addition, an earthquake in 2005 greatly damaged this area, making travel even more treacherous. Adding to the turmoil was the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister, during a political rally of her supporters.
9. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: This country was a part of the former Soviet Union. The U.S. heightened security at its embassy after multiple suicide bombings in Tashkent in 2004 and 2005, including one outside the embassy. Human Rights Watch reports that human trafficking and forced prostitution are serious problems, with women being sold for thousands of dollars. According to reports from Transparency International, Uzbekistan’s government is one of the most corrupt in the world and still allows torture.
10. Mogadishu, Somalia: Up to 60 percent of the residents of Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, have fled due to ongoing assaults by Ethiopian troops, according to United Nations estimates. Tens of thousands of fleeing residents have been assaulted and/or raped during their attempts to escape, reports Human Rights Watch. Civilian protests frequently escalate into violent riots.
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