Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. The U.S.”
Updated Fri, 15 May 2026
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Is Kassala safe? 🇸🇩
Sudan · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Kassala scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No. Kassala is not safe for travelers due to ongoing conflict, crime, and government advisories against all travel. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kassala 🇸🇩
Sudan · Assessed 16 October 2026
20
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime41/100CautionCrime index 45.6 / 100
Sentiment41/100CautionMostly negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability35Elevated
Health71Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to Sudan because of the ongoing military conflict in Khartoum and other parts of the country.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:14:42Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Sudan: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-10-13T14:30:27.2592229-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
High risk
34
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
30 / 100 (Mostly negative)
30
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
401k residents
77
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and kidnapping pose significant risks to visitors, particularly in border areas and during periods of unrest.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded markets and transport hubs, especially during protests or market events.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Elevated
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
41/100
Reported feel30Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate Kassala feels unsafe due to conflict spillover, protests, and crime, with visitors expressing concern over kidnapping and arbitrary detention.
No. Kassala is not safe for travelers due to ongoing conflict, crime, and government advisories against all travel.
Kassala faces elevated risks from armed conflict spilling into eastern Sudan, frequent protests over unpaid wages and market demolitions, and persistent crime including kidnapping and terrorism threats. Government advisories uniformly warn against all travel to Sudan, including Kassala, citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. While some travel guides describe Kassala as relatively calmer than Darfur, the security situation remains volatile and unpredictable for visitors.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Drone interceptions in Gedaref and Kassala signaled widening war and increased insecurity in eastern Sudan— Modern Ghana
- Sep 2026Protesters demonstrated against the demolition of Kassala Al-Niswan Market, escalating tensions in the city— Wansom AI
- Jun 2026Over 11,000 teachers struck in Kassala state over unpaid wages, reflecting deepening unrest and instability— Sudan Tribune
- May 2026Deadly attacks in Kassala left at least eight dead, deepening insecurity in the region— Radio Dabanga
Common scams
- Fake police demanding bribes
- Taxi overcharging or fraud
- Tourist traps in markets
Full briefing
Kassala is experiencing a significant deterioration in security, with drone interceptions and market protests in September 2026 signaling that the conflict is spreading to eastern Sudan. Earlier in May 2026, deadly attacks left at least eight people dead in Kassala, and by June, over 11,000 teachers had gone on strike over unpaid wages, underscoring widespread instability. These events reflect a pattern of rising violence and civil unrest that directly affects visitor safety.
Despite some travel guides characterizing Kassala as moderately risky but calmer than Darfur, the reality on the ground is shaped by active conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, with spillover effects reaching Kassala near the Eritrean border. Visitors face real risks of kidnapping, armed robbery, and exposure to protest-related violence or collateral damage from drone strikes. Pickpocketing is a concern in crowded areas like Kassala’s souks during market days or protests.
Government advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are unanimous: avoid all travel to Sudan. These warnings are not outdated — they reflect current assessments of unrest, crime, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. Travelers should not rely on outdated perceptions of Kassala as a relatively safe haven; the security environment is fluid and deteriorating. If presence is essential, extreme caution, local awareness, and emergency planning are mandatory — but the only truly safe option is to not travel.
Was this Kassala, Sudan report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Kassala districts for visitors: 1 safer, 4 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kassala safety map.
Souk KassalaavoidMain market; high theft and pickpocketing risk, plus protest flashpoints per Sep 2026 market demolition protests.
Gold Market DistrictavoidSite of Aug 2026 trader protests and closures; high tension, robbery risk, and potential for sudden unrest.
Al-Niswan MarketavoidLocation of Sep 2026 demolition protest escalation; active flashpoint for clashes and arrests.
Al HilacautionCentral residential area; generally okay daytime but avoid after dark due to crime and unrest risk.
KhatmiyyacautionAround the shrine and mosque; moderate risk from petty crime and occasional protests.
Gash River CornichecautionPopular riverside walk; moderate pickpocketing risk, especially evenings; avoid isolated stretches after dark.
Kassala Teachers' Union ZonecautionArea near education offices; frequent wage protests (Jun/Oct 2026) increase tear gas and detention risks.
Taka FoothillssaferResidential and hiking area; lower crime, but extreme heat (42°C Oct) and limited infrastructure require caution.
07 · After Dark
Is Kassala safe at night?
Armed robbery and kidnapping pose significant risks to visitors, particularly in border areas and during periods of unrest.
After dark, be most careful around Souk Kassala, Gold Market District, Al-Niswan Market, Al Hila. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kassala safety FAQ (2026)
Is Kassala safe right now (2026)?
No. Kassala is not safe for travelers due to ongoing conflict, crime, and government advisories against all travel. Kassala faces elevated risks from armed conflict spilling into eastern Sudan, frequent protests over unpaid wages and market demolitions, and persistent crime including kidnapping and terrorism threats. Government advisories uniformly warn against all travel to Sudan, including Kassala, citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health threats. While some travel guides describe Kassala as relatively calmer than Darfur, the security situation remains volatile and unpredictable for visitors. (Assessed 16 October 2026.)
Is Kassala safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Kassala report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Kassala should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Souk Kassala, Gold Market District, Al-Niswan Market as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kassala (2026)?
- Fake police demanding bribes
- Taxi overcharging or fraud
- Tourist traps in markets
How does Kassala compare with other places in Sudan (2026)?
Kassala ranks #1 of 4 Sudan destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Sudan safety overview for the full list.
How is this kassala safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: kassala.json (CC BY 4.0).