Americans urged to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia over Iranian, Houthi attack threats

The US Mission in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday urged Americans to reconsider travel to the kingdom, citing risks from Iranian and Houthi missile and drone attacks, armed conflict and terrorism, Anadolu reports.

In a post on US social media company X, the mission shared a travel advisory maintaining Saudi Arabia at Level 3, or reconsider travel, while designating the area along the Yemen border Level 4, or do not travel.

The US travel advisory system has two lower levels: Level 1, which calls for normal precautions and Level 2 for increased caution.

Under the advisory, US government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use any airport in the country and are prohibited from traveling within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the Yemeni border. They also require special authorization to travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir and Najran, as well as the cities of Qatif, Taif and Yanbu.

The mission advised Americans in Saudi Arabia to take similar precautions.

The advisory said that since the outbreak of hostilities between the US and Iran on Feb. 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. It said commercial flights remain operational from Saudi Arabia but have at times faced significant disruptions.

It said Iran and the Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia, targeting cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic sites and energy facilities.

The advisory said falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones also poses a risk and warned US citizens against photographing, filming or sharing information about interceptions or affected sites.

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It cited terrorism, exit bans and the enforcement of Saudi laws governing social media activity among the risks facing travelers.

The advisory follows security alerts issued by the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia in recent days amid attacks and threats targeting the kingdom.

The embassy renewed its security alert on Monday for a third consecutive day following attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an attack targeting King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The embassy warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions and urged US citizens to exercise caution at major airports.

Saudi authorities have reported missile and drone attacks targeting airports and other sites in the kingdom in recent days, while the Houthis have threatened further attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities.

A Saudi-led coalition, meanwhile, has intensified military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen, including airstrikes in the capital, Sanaa.

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