RSS
Home
Three American hikers detained in Iran
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
(AP Photo)
The three Americans were hiking in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, near the communities of Halabja and Ahmed Awaa, along the border with Iran, when they apparently strayed across the frontier into Iran. A last communication from the three hikers to the fourth person back in Iraq – who has since been debriefed by U.S. Embassy officials in Iraq – indicated that they had lost their way and were surrounded by Iranian security forces.
Switzerland is making inquiries in Iran about this incident on behalf of the United States, as the U.S. has no formal diplomatic relations with Iran. The Swiss represent U.S. interests in Tehran, the Iranian capital.
Iraqi Kurdistan is a relatively safe, mountainous autonomous region in northern Iraq, and is considered a tourist destination, particularly among adventure travelers. The mountainous border area is particularly popular among hikers, and contains picturesque waterfalls, rocky scenery, and abundant fruit and nut trees. Travelers to the region in northern Iraq find it relatively easy to enter Iraqi Kurdistan from Turkey, and western tourists often feel free to move about without a security escort due to the region’s relative safety and freedom from the violence that has plagued other parts of Iraq over the years. The broader Kurdistan region – traditionally inhabited for centuries by the Kurds – overlaps with southwest Turkey, northern Iraq, and northwestern Iran.
Hopefully this incident will see a positive resolution. Nevertheless, this event should serve as a reminder to those hiking along international borders in remote areas (where borders are often not as well-marked) to maintain their bearings, bring along maps and GPS – and know how to use those important tools.
For More Info:
“3 Americans arrested and detained in Iran” by Karen Harper, Progressive Politics Examiner
“Iran arrests 3 American hikers crossing border into Iranian Kurdistan” by Neala Schwartzberg, Offbeat Places Examiner
“Outdoor travel 101: Plan a hike with a topographic map” by Paul McDaniel, Carolinas Travel Examiner
“Travel 101: How can I confront culture shock while traveling abroad?” by Paul McDaniel, Carolinas Travel Examiner
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
More About:
Travel ·
Mountains ·
World ·
Global ·
International ·
Outdoors ·
Hiking ·
Geography ·
News ·
Middle East ·
Iraq
Related Articles:
Comments
Some people choose to go to a beach. Others choose to go to the mountains. Yet when it comes to truly exceptional destinations, some intrepid …
Now that colder weather of later fall is beginning to set in, signaling that winter is looming on the horizon, it is time to start thinking about a …
- Travel 101: Eight tips to find the best travel deals
- Travel 101: How do I check flight delays?
- Travel 101: What is a typical commercial flight profile?
- Travel 101: How does air traffic control work?
- Travel 101: How do I navigate through the Charlotte airport?
- Travel 101: How do I keep family and friends updated while traveling?
- Travel 101: How and why should I send postcards when traveling?
- Travel 101: How can I confront culture shock while traveling abroad?
- Travel 101: Enjoy nature and the great outdoors
- Travel 101: How can I travel cheaply?
- Outdoor travel 101: Plan a hike with a topographic map
- Travel etiquette 101: Avoid being a rude traveler when flying
- Travel knowledge: Be a globally aware traveler
- Become a Geographically Literate Traveler
- Travel Quotes by Famous People
- National Parks near Charlotte
- National Forests in and around the Carolinas
- State Parks in and around the Carolinas
- Visit a National Park: Great Smoky Mountains
- Visit a National Park: Grand Canyon
- Day hiking in and around Charlotte
- Whitewater Rafting in Western North Carolina
- Whitewater Rafting in Eastern Tennessee
- Mexico City: Top Ten Places to Visit
- Experience la Guelaguetza festival in Oaxaca, Mexico
- Fly non-stop to the Caribbean or Central America
- London: Top Ten Places to Visit
- Fly to Puerto Rico!
- Upcoming nonstop airfare deals from Charlotte
- Airfare deals from Charlotte to Dublin or Zurich
- Weekend Trip Ideas for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
- Washington, DC: A great travel destination throughout the year
- Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina: A great day or weekend trip this Christmas season
- The World of Christmas with National Geographic
- Retrace the steps of Indiana Jones as a world traveler
- Travel in Charlotte and the Carolinas
- When planning a trip to Charlotte...
- Take a walking tour in center city Charlotte
- Uptown Charlotte Public Art Walking Tour
- Carowinds theme park opens March 28 for 2009 season
- NoDa gallery crawl in Charlotte begins March 6
- Changing Places exhibit at Charlotte's Levine Museum of the New South
- Travel to ancient Pompeii…in Charlotte
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport among 30 busiest in the world
- Carowinds park offering deals on admission price
- Rita Cook, International Travel Examiner
- DT Regula, Best Value Travel Examiner
- April Trent, Youth Travel Examiner
- Joanne Poesch, Specialty Travel Examiner
- Becky Beall, Birmingham Travel Examiner
- Ethan Demby, Travel 101 Examiner
- Marilyn Crain, National Parks Travel Examiner
- Mark Resnicoff, Worldwide Adventure Travel Examiner
- Jonathan Siskin, Cruise Ship Examiner
- Karen Harper, Progressive Politics Examiner
- Karen Harper, Obama Administration Examiner
