The United States on Wednesday advised travelers to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the risk of Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting American interests.
Level 3 Warning from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a Level 3 warning stating: "Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to the risk of Iranian drones and missiles targeting American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, and exit restrictions." The warning also cautioned travelers against traveling to the Yemen border, where conflicts have recently intensified.
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Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees
U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the Yemen border due to security risks. They are also restricted from non-essential travel to the Qatif region and require special permission to travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and Qatif.
The U.S. Embassy stated that the threat of Iranian drone and missile attacks has continued since the onset of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran on February 28. This warning comes as Saudi Arabia has repeatedly been targeted by missile and drone attacks, with emergency alerts issued throughout the kingdom.
Recent Attacks on Saudi Arabia
The Saudi-led coalition announced on Wednesday that the country's air defense intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi group from Yemen towards the holy city of Mecca. This incident occurred a day after the coalition reported that 13 civilians were injured and seven houses and two vehicles were damaged in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif.
Saudi officials, responding to increasing security concerns in southwestern Saudi Arabia, issued warnings in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan, Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, and Al-Ula. Last week, Saudi officials reported that drones launched from Iraq attacked the East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina (Al-Medina) regions, resulting in injuries and damage and leading to a precautionary shutdown of the pipeline.
Since the start of the U.S.-Iran war on February 28, Saudi Arabia has also been repeatedly targeted by missile and drone attacks. Tehran has stated that it is attacking U.S. military interests throughout the region.
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