U.S. State Department has escalated its travel advisory for Bangladesh in response to widespread civil unrest in the country. Following clashes over civil service job allocations that resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries, authorities have enforced a strict curfew with a "shoot-on-sight" mandate in some areas of the capital, Dhaka. Military patrols have been deployed amidst the turmoil.

The updated advisory advises American citizens to reconsider travel to Bangladesh due to ongoing demonstrations and violent clashes reported not only in Dhaka but also in surrounding areas and across the country. Telecommunications disruptions have been noted, affecting both Dhaka and nationwide services. Consequently, routine consular services may experience delays.

For those Americans who must travel to Bangladesh, the advisory recommends avoiding demonstrations and political gatherings, staying informed through local media updates, and maintaining contact with the U.S. State Department for assistance.

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka emphasized the severity of the situation, citing reports of numerous injuries across Bangladesh and describing the environment as "extremely volatile." In response, the U.S. government has authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency government personnel and their family members from the country.

This heightened advisory follows a recent update urging American citizens to reconsider travel plans to Bangladesh, underscoring the escalating tensions and risks associated with the current civil unrest in the region.