US Issues Level 3 Travel Advisory for Citizens Visiting Saudi Arabia
The US Embassy in Riyadh has issued a Level 3 warning, urging American citizens to reconsider travel plans to Saudi Arabia because of security threats, including the risk of missile and drone attacks against US interests.
The notice also cited armed conflict, terrorism and the possibility of being barred from leaving the country as reasons for the advisory. The US Embassy also asked its citizens to avoid traveling to Saudi Arabia’s border areas with Yemen.
Under the warning, US government personnel are banned from traveling within 32 kilometres of the Yemen border, and non-essential travel to Qatif is also prohibited. Travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran and Qatif also requires special approval.
The embassy said the threat of missile and drone attacks from Iran has continued since the start of the conflict between the US and Iran on February 28. The warning comes as Saudi Arabia has in recent days witnessed reciprocal missile and drone attacks by Yemeni fighters.
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, hosts the embassies and diplomatic missions of a number of countries, including the United States. Embassy warnings for their citizens are usually issued on the basis of security assessments and specific travel restrictions.
