US issues fresh advisory for its citizens in Bangladesh: 'Exercise caution'

The US Embassy in Dhaka issued a fresh security alert for American nationals residing in Bangladesh, urging them to exercise extreme caution amid ongoing protests and civil unrest.

The advisory, issued on August 12, comes in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and flight from the country, which has plunged Bangladesh into turmoil.

"US citizens should practice vigilance and still consider returning to the United States. Avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings," the embassy said in its alert.

The embassy also recommended reviewing personal security plans, remaining aware of local events, and monitoring local news stations for updates.

This latest alert follows the US State Department's decision in July to elevate its travel advisory for Bangladesh to the highest ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ category amid deadly student-led protests.

The State Department also recommended the departure of non-emergency US government employees and their families, citing the ongoing civil unrest, crime, and terrorism in the country.

The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile. Over 500 people have been killed in the weeks-long violence that began with the students’ anti-quota protests and transformed into a mass uprising against the Sheikh Hasina regime.

In the wake of Hasina’s escape and widespread unrest, the Bangladesh Army was deployed nationwide and a caretaker government took charge. Normalcy has been slow to return, with police personnel returning to their posts on Monday after a week-long strike that left a law and order vacuum in the capital Dhaka.

Officers, who had faced widespread condemnation for their role in a lethal crackdown on protests that led to Hasina’s downfall, only agreed to resume duties after late-night negotiations with the new interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.