US places 23 countries on 'Do Not Travel' list, including 11 african nations

The United States Department of State has placed 23 countries under its highest travel warning, Level 4: Do Not Travel, urging Americans to avoid visiting the listed destinations for any reason.

In an updated travel advisory shared via its TravelGov X account, the department said Level 4 is reserved for countries where security conditions are extremely dangerous or where the US government's ability to assist its citizens is severely limited.

"We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1–4. Level 4 means DO NOT TRAVEL. We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there."

The department further warned:

"These places are dangerous. Do not go for ANY reason."

Among the countries on the advisory are 11 African nations: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

The full list of countries under the Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine and Yemen.

The US government said the advisory is intended to warn its citizens about destinations where travel poses significant safety and security risks.