US embassy warns citizens over travel risks to Tunisia

The US Department of State has warned its citizens of the risks of travelling to Tunisia. The US embassy said the situation in Tunisia is not secure and remains a “continuing potential for violent demonstrations.” The embassy urged its citizens to avoid large crowds and demonstrations even if they seemed peaceful as they can turn “violent and unpredictable.” US citizens who wish to remain in Tunisia need to make their own emergency plans and were advised to enrol through the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP), which is a database where citizens provide emergency contact information. Acts of violence that occurred in front of the US embassy on September 14 in protest to the anti-Islam film, Innocence of Muslims caused tension between Tunisia and US. On September 14 the US embassy issued an order for the departure of US citizens from Tunisia.