The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of travel to Mali, and continues to recommend against all travel to the north of the country due to the kidnapping threats against Westerners. This replaces the Travel Warning for Mali dated November 19, 2009 to update security and threat information.

As noted in the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated February 12, 2010, the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, has declared its intention to attack Western targets. As of early July 2010, the Department has been aware of several separate sources of information suggesting AQIM's ongoing interest in kidnapping Westerners in the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso border area and as far south as Bamako. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has issued several warden messages regarding these threats, as have the U.S. Embassies in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Niamey, Niger.

The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Pakistan. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated January 7, 2010, updates information on security incidents and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan.

Pakistani military forces have engaged in a campaign against violent extremist elements across many areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPk) province. Terrorists blame the Pakistani and the U.S. governments for the military pressure on their traditional havens and the death of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader- Baitullah Mehsud- in NWFP in August 2009. In response, militants are seeking to increase their attacks on civilian, government, and foreign targets in Pakistan's cities.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that the potential for a terrorist attack or localized civil disturbance still exists in Uzbekistan. The Department of State continues to urge U.S. citizens in Uzbekistan to exercise caution when traveling in the region. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated June 16, 2009, to update information on security incidents.

The U.S. government continues to receive information that indicates terrorist groups may be planning attacks, possibly against U.S. interests, in Uzbekistan. Supporters of terrorist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Al-Qaida, the Islamic Jihad Union, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement are active in the Central Asian region. Members of these groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and have attacked U.S. government interests in the past, including the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, and may attempt to target U.S. government or private American interests in Uzbekistan. In the past, these groups have conducted kidnappings, assassinations, and suicide bombings.

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico. The authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros remains in place. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated May 6, 2010 to note the extension of authorized departure and to update guidance on security conditions and crime.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Chad and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to eastern Chad, the Chad/Sudan border area, and the Chad/Central African Republic border area. This Warning is due to the insecurity caused by high levels of violent crime, the continuing risk of clashes between Chadian government and rebel forces, and the constant risk of sudden outbreak of conflict among the populations living in these areas. In particular, the risk of kidnapping for ransom or as part of factional conflict appears to be on the rise. The U.S. Embassy in Chad has prohibited official government travel to eastern Chad without express authorization. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts should review security precautions and consider measures to mitigate exposure to violent crime. U.S. citizens residing in Chad should exercise extreme caution throughout the country. This replaces the Travel Warning for Chad dated November 23, 2009 to remind U.S. citizens of continuing security concerns in Chad.