Former CIA agent recounts the most dangerous countries he lived in: A death trap for diplomats

John Kiriakou, known for his challenging field assignments and his many years working for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), stated that he has been to 72 countries but that some regions were navigated purely with a "survival" reflex. According to Kiriakou's list, the most dangerous countries include Yemen, Somalia, Gaza, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Emphasizing that even daily life in these regions is extremely dangerous, the experienced agent noted that they had to operate at the highest level of alert.

Kiriakou, who served a total of five different missions in Yemen, expressed that he faced increasing security threats each time. It is known that the U.S. Department of State currently has a "Do Not Travel" advisory for Yemen; the primary reasons for this are the rising crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and health risks in the country.

Kiriakou described an incident he was exposed to during his time in Yemen with the following words:

He says the only place where CIA agents could stay was a hotel surrounded by 9-meter-high blast walls. One day after Kiriakou arrived in the city, six South Korean diplomats lost their lives in an ambush set during their journey from the airport to the hotel.

South Korean intelligence officers who arrived to investigate the incident were also killed in another ambush. Following these tragic developments, South Korea decided to close its embassy in the country and withdrew its diplomats entirely.

Kiriakou stated that one of the greatest tensions of recent years is being experienced in global relations, adding that the current international environment has become unpredictably unstable. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State also warns its citizens to be similarly cautious in countries such as Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, and Russia.

News Source: 12punto