The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security advisory on Wednesday containing travel restrictions for its staff and advice for its citizens in the Kingdom. The embassy stated in the advisory, published on the US State Department website, that Iran-backed Houthis have engaged in hostile acts against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and severe disruptions to travel.
The advisory added that these actions could rapidly escalate beyond the immediate affected area. It advised US citizens to follow the guidelines in national alerts issued by the Saudi Civil Defense via the cell broadcast service. It clarified that travel restrictions for US government staff include the need for special authorization from the head of mission to use any airport in the Kingdom, following recent missile and drone attacks on its airports.
Staff are also prohibited from traveling to areas within 20 miles of the Yemeni border due to security risks, and require special permits to travel to the regions of Jazan, Asir, and Najran, as well as the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif. The advisory noted that operations remain suspended at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh, while King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam continue to operate, with some delays and flight cancellations.
The advisory urged US citizens to be aware of the possibility of airport attacks, airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions. It urged them to exercise maximum caution if they decide to use airports in Saudi Arabia and to check their flight departure status directly with the airline and the airport. The advisory noted that the Saudi Ministry of Interior continues to warn that photographing, publishing, or sharing information related to the response to missiles and drones and their impact sites exposes individuals to legal accountability.
It pointed out that US citizens have been detained for failing to comply with these regulations, including taking photos of government buildings, airports, and impact sites. Visitors and residents are subject to local laws while in Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday, the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen announced intercepting and destroying six drones, including one heading towards the southern region, in addition to five drones intercepted and destroyed in the Medina and Eastern regions.
Houthi attacks during October focused on airports in Riyadh, Abha, Jazan, Najran, and Dammam, along with oil facilities and military sites. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition to support the Yemeni government against the Houthi group, which has controlled the capital Sanaa and several provinces since September 2014. These developments come amid continuous military escalation since last July, as announced by Saudi Arabia and the coalition.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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