Foreign Office Warns of Specific Threat to Expats in Somaliland

Expat Globe

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned of a “specific threat to Westerners” in Somaliland and has urged Britons to leave the east African nation.

The FCO said in a statement, "We are now aware of a specific threat to Westerners in Somaliland and urge any British nationals who remain there against our advice to leave immediately.

“(Attacks) could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

"Following the death of Osama Bin Laden, terrorist groups operating in Somalia have made threats against Westerners and those working for Western organisations in Somalia, including Somaliland."

The FCO also reports that in the south and central areas of Somalia, "there is ongoing serious violence, dangerous levels of criminal activity and general internal insecurity".

The expatriate community around the world has been shaken since the hostage crisis at a gas installation in Algeria earlier this month. This warning from the British government follows similar threats to Western interests and citizens in Libya. The French led intervention in Mali is also thought to be contributing to the heightened tensions in the region.

There are many Westerners working for NGOs across Somalia and many working in many parts of the region in the oil and gas industry.

All expats are advised to contact their embassies for the latest information.