The American Embassy in Algeria has issued an urgent alert from the Diplomatic Security Service (SSD, security service of the United States Department of State), warning their nationals against any travel to Tindouf, a commune in western Algeria where the Polisario militias are established.

The alert mentions immediate perils from February 28, surrounding the so-called Sahara marathon, an ultra-distance ultra-trail using routes reputed to be dangerous or used by notorious criminal gangs. Among the dangers mentioned is the risk of kidnapping.

This Algerian-engineered event often takes place in difficult weather conditions.

The SSD, responsible for protecting American diplomatic and consular missions in around a hundred countries, recommends Americans avoid the area through March 15.

It warned that they should be aware of their surroundings, stay alert in locations frequented by tourists/Westerners, make contingency plans to leave, review their personal security plans, have travel documents up to date and easily accessible and carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current visa.

SSD regularly refers to Algeria as an “unsafe country”, especially when the regime in power is going through serious political tensions.

Algeria, which is home to an internationally unrecognised entity suspected of collusion with terrorist groups, does not fully guarantee the security of its vast territory or its borders.