07 Aug 2017 | 09:55 PM UTC
Jordan: US lifts travel restrictions in the south Aug. 7 /update 1
US officials lift travel restrictions for embassy personnel to southern parts of the country on August 7
Event
On Monday, August 7, the US Embassy in Amman announced that the temporary travel restrictions barring all embassy personnel from travel to southern parts of the country have been lifted. Personnel are once again allowed to travel to Wadi Rum, the city of al-Jafr, areas south of al-Jafr on Highway 5, the Desert Highway (Highway 15) between Ma’an and Aqaba, and areas east of the Desert Highway.
Context
The restrictions were put in place on July 26 due to potential unrest and criminal activity in the region.
The al-Jafr area has been unstable since the July 17 sentencing of a Jordanian soldier who was convicted of killing three American soldiers in November 2016. The area has seen multiple protests in defense of the soldier, and some demonstrations have been anti-American in character.
Advice
Individuals in Jordan are strongly advised to adhere to security instructions issued by local authorities or their home governments. Many governments have advised their nationals against all travel near the Syrian and Iraqi borders.
