It said banned Islamist terrorist group Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) has identified the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom as alleged enemies of Islam. It is unclear at this point what impact the recent arrests of senior JMB figures will have on JMB's ability to mount new attacks.

"However, the potential for continued JMB violence, in Dhaka and elsewhere, should be considered real and serious," Bangladesh Consular Information sheet released by US Department of State Travel Warnings said.

The communiqué said the US embassy continues to see anti-American rhetoric and sporadic anti-American protests following Friday prayers at the national mosque, largely due to US involvement in Iraq.

"Americans are urged to avoid travel to the downtown Dhaka area on Fridays whenever possible. Visitors to Bangladesh should check with the Consular Section of the US embassy in Dhaka for updated information on political demonstrations or other activities," it added.

The consular sheet noted that nationwide strikes or "hartals" are widely employed as a means of political expression in Bangladesh. The political opposition over the past several years has called a number of these hartals, resulting in the virtual shutdown of transportation and commerce, and sometimes attacks on individuals who do not observe the hartals. Clashes between rival political groups during hartals have resulted in deaths and injuries.

"American citizens are therefore urged to avoid all political protests, demonstrations and marches. During hartals, American citizens should exercise caution in all areas and remain inside their hotels, residences, schools, or workplaces whenever possible," it said.

Due to kidnappings and other security incidents, including those involving foreign nationals, US citizens are advised against travelling to the Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban hill districts.

Additionally, the US embassy continues to receive reports of incidents of kidnappings, arms and narcotics smuggling and clashes between local Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees in areas near Rohingya refugee camps in the Teknaf, Kutupalong, Ukhia and Ramu areas of Cox's Bazar district.

The US embassy also recommends against travel to these areas. Individuals who choose to visit these districts are urged to exercise extreme caution.

On August 17 last year, the communiqué said JMB claimed responsibility for over 500 coordinated small bomb blasts in virtually every part of Bangladesh that killed two persons and injured several dozen. Subsequent JMB bombings and suicide attacks have killed approximately 30 Bangladeshis, including judges, court workers, police officers and bystanders, and wounded nearly 200 Bangladeshis.

"JMB statements call for the imposition of strict Islamic law in Bangladesh, justify the indiscriminate use of suicide attacks, and condemn Western social and political concepts as un-Islamic," the communiqué said.

About political demonstration, it said political confrontations manifested in demonstrations, rallies, and marches are unpredictable and have the potential for violence. In general, demonstrations occur on Friday afternoons but may take place at any time and any place.

"Protesters have used physical force, rocks, guns, and explosive devices during confrontations. In the past, police have used rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition, water cannons, and other riot equipment when confronting protesters," it said.