Washington Just Put Thirteen Middle East Countries on One Warning List

The United States has issued travel advisories for 13 Middle East countries after a wave of Houthi attacks, according to reporting from The National dated October 24. The countries are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Syria, Yemen and Israel. All of the advisories cite terrorism, and some add the threat of drone and missile strikes and armed conflict.

Saudi Arabia gets the sharpest language. Americans are told to reconsider travel, with the Yemen border area carrying the stricter do-not-travel rating because of terrorism. The warning says the Houthi attacks have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area. Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, including Dammam, have caused deaths, injuries and flight disruption, and a State Department official said the advisories reflect recent strikes rather than new capabilities.

The Saudi advisory, updated on October 12, adds warnings that go beyond security. It cites exit bans, strict social media laws and detentions of Americans photographing interceptions or impact sites. Some US citizens have reportedly been arrested over past posts, reposts and likes critical of the Saudi government, even if shared from abroad. A separate embassy alert on October 10 urged Americans to avoid King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and its surrounding area.

Commercial flights are still operating in the region, though service has been disrupted at times. The practical advice for travelers is to check the current advisory level for every country on an itinerary, including connection points, and to hold flexible tickets. The guidance also stresses having an emergency exit plan that does not rely on US government help, and not photographing or sharing information about attacks.

Sources: The National, Fox News