WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan is warning American citizens to be very cautious traveling in the capital city of Kabul after getting information about a possible threat against Kabul University.
The warning comes at a time the Afghan government is pleading for the release of almost two-dozen kidnapped South Koreans.
U.S. officials were investigating the credibility of the reported threat involving a possible improvised explosive device, but employees of the U.S. Embassy are deferring any visits to Kabul University in the near future.
The warnings to American citizens come as the Afghanistan government is seeking the release of South Korean hostages seized by Taliban militants more than a week ago.
Afghanistan's top political and religious leaders invoked Afghan and Islamic traditions of chivalry and hospitality Sunday in attempts to shame the Taliban into releasing 18 female South Korean captives. The militants had kidnapped 23 Koreans while they were riding on a bus from Kabul to the southern city of Kandahar, where they live and work, some at medical facilities. One of the original group of 23 abducted Koreans, a 42-year-old pastor, was found slain with multiple gunshots Wednesday.
The kidnapping of the Koreans was the largest single abduction of foreigners since the 2001 fall of the hard-line Taliban regime.
The U.S. Embassy reminded Americans that they should restrict their own travel in Kabul to essential business only and to consider the current threat environment when planning necessary travel around the city.
Story Continues Below
The embassy urged them to: be aware of surroundings; vary times and routes of travel; avoid traveling after dark; do not travel alone; avoid crowded areas and demonstrations; avoid Afghan and international government buildings and compounds; and do not approach any international or local military or government convoys.