Governments issue new travel warnings for Algeria
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
Algeria, the largest country in Africa, offers travelers a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. However, visitors should be aware of certain safety concerns before planning their journey.
As of April 2, 2025, several governments have issued updated travel advisories for Algeria, emphasizing increased caution due to ongoing security concerns.
United States
The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to exercise increased caution in Algeria because of terrorism and kidnapping risks. It specifically recommends against travel to areas near the eastern and southern borders and the Sahara Desert due to these concerns.
United Kingdom
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to within 30 km of Algeria's borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and certain areas of the Tunisia border. They also advise against all but essential travel to within 30 km of the rest of Algeria's border with Tunisia.
Australia
The Australian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Algeria overall due to the threat of terrorism and kidnapping. They recommend against travel to areas within 450 km of the borders with Mali and Niger, and within 100 km of the borders with Mauritania, Libya, and Tunisia.
New Zealand The New Zealand Government advises exercising increased caution in Algeria due to the threat of terrorism and kidnapping. They note that higher levels of caution apply in some areas.
Canada
The Government of Canada advises exercising a high degree of caution in Algeria due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping. Specific border areas are particularly hazardous:
Mali, Mauritania, and Niger borders: Avoid all travel within 200 km of these borders because of high threats of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Libya and Tunisia borders: Avoid all travel within 50 km of these borders due to similar security concerns.
Morocco border: Avoid all travel within 50 km of this border owing to increased military presence and an unstable security situation.
Terrorism threat
While Algeria has intensified counterterrorism efforts, resulting in no reported domestic terrorist incidents in 2023, the potential for attacks persists. Terrorist groups may target government buildings, places of worship, transportation hubs, and areas frequented by foreigners.
Recent incidents
Author's imprisonment: In March 2025, French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal was sentenced to five years in prison by an Algerian court for «undermining national unity.» This conviction stems from comments he made during a November 2024 interview with the French media outlet Frontières, where he questioned the legitimacy of Algeria's borders with Morocco. Sansal's remarks were deemed a threat to national security, leading to his arrest upon arrival at Algiers airport in November 2024. Sansal's case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting issues related to freedom of expression in Algeria. International organizations, including PEN International, have condemned the sentence and called for his immediate release, expressing concerns about the fairness of his trial and the broader implications for writers and intellectuals in the country.
Kidnapping: In January 2025, Spanish national Gilbert Navarro was kidnapped in southern Algeria and subsequently taken into Mali by an armed group. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a coalition of predominantly Tuareg separatist rebel groups in northern Mali, intervened and secured his release on January 20, 2025.
Navarro was abducted on January 14, 2025, by a group described by the FLA as a «transnational mafia» operating in the Sahel region. The kidnappers transported him to Indelimane in Mali's eastern Ménaka Region. FLA forces located the group near Indelimane, surrounded them, and negotiated Navarro's release without incident.
Following his liberation, Navarro was handed over to Algerian authorities and transported to Algiers. In a press conference, he expressed gratitude towards the Algerian authorities and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for their assistance during his ordeal.
This incident underscores the persistent security challenges in the Algeria-Mali border region, where armed groups and criminal networks operate, posing risks to locals and travelers alike.
Recommendations for travelers
Stay informed: Regularly consult official travel advisories and stay updated on local news.
Exercise vigilance: Be cautious in public places, especially during events or gatherings, and avoid areas with known security concerns.
Health precautions: Consult a healthcare provider before traveling to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date and to discuss any health concerns.
What Algeria is doing to fight terrorism and improve safety
Algeria has long been aware of the threats posed by terrorism and instability, especially near its borders.
In response, the government has taken strong and sustained action to protect both its citizens and foreign visitors.
Algeria has consistently emphasized the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in combating terrorism. In a statement to the United Nations, Algeria asserted that preventing and combating terrorism requires a high level of vigilance, mobilization, and multifaceted cooperation at the international level.
No negotiating
The Algerian government has also demonstrated a firm stance against negotiating with terrorists. During the 2013 In Amenas hostage crisis, Interior Minister Dahou Ould Kablia stated that the government would not respond to the demands of terrorists and would not negotiate with hostage-takers.
Furthermore, Algeria has actively participated in regional counterterrorism initiatives. The North African Regional Capability (NARC), headquartered in Algiers, is a military cooperation initiative involving Algeria and neighboring countries aimed at enhancing regional security and counterterrorism efforts.
Military and security forces
Algeria has significantly strengthened its military operations in recent years. Specialized units have been established to deal with terrorism, hostage situations, and cross-border threats. These elite forces are trained for high-risk operations and play a central role in preventing attacks and dismantling extremist cells.
Border protection
Security along the borders with Mali, Niger, Libya, and Tunisia has been reinforced with both manpower and technology. Surveillance systems, regular patrols, and checkpoints are part of a broader effort to stop arms smuggling, militant movement, and kidnapping attempts in remote desert areas.
Legal framework and prevention
The government has passed strict anti-terrorism laws to tackle extremist activities and propaganda. In parallel, programs are in place to prevent radicalization and support reintegration of former extremists into society. These include educational and community-based approaches aimed at reducing the appeal of extremist ideologies.
International cooperation
Algeria is actively engaged in regional and global counterterrorism efforts. It cooperates with neighboring countries and international partners to share intelligence, improve border control, and coordinate strategies for dealing with transnational threats. The country also plays a leadership role in African counterterrorism initiatives.
Visible results
As a result of these measures, the number of terrorist incidents within Algeria has dropped significantly over the past years. While risks remain in certain areas—particularly near the borders—the overall security situation has improved in much of the country.
Travelers are still advised to stay cautious and informed, but it’s clear that the Algerian government is making consistent efforts to improve national security and promote a safer environment for tourism and development.
Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) – Quick Facts
Who they are: A Tuareg-led rebel group based in northern Mali.
Goal: Seeks autonomy for the Azawad region and protection of Tuareg communities.
Stance: Secular and ethnically focused, not Islamist.
Activity: Known for clashing with jihadist groups and recently helped free a kidnapped Spanish national.
Region: Operates near the Mali-Algeria-Niger border.
