The US Mission to Saudi Arabia issued a fresh countrywide security alert dated November 13, and it reads like a status board for anyone flying in or out of the kingdom. The State Department’s Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory remains in place, citing the threat of drone and missile attacks on American interests by Iran and Iran-backed Houthi forces. The alert notes that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have included strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure.
On airports, the picture is uneven. Riyadh’s King Khalid International partially reopened on October 23 for domestic flights and some international services on the national carrier, while some Riyadh flights are operating instead from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International in Qassim. Jeddah and Dammam are open but seeing delays and cancellations. The mission tells travelers to expect possible airspace closures at short notice and to confirm every flight directly with the airline and airport.
Overland options are holding up. All land border crossings, including the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, remain open, and roads around Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran are operating, along with rail and bus services. The alert lists airports in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE, including Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as operational alternatives. Since October 23, non-emergency US government staff and their families have been ordered to leave the country.
One warning stands out for ordinary visitors: Saudi authorities say filming or sharing information about missile or drone interceptions, or impact sites, can bring legal liability, and US citizens have been detained for photographing government buildings, airports and impact sites. Anyone who must travel is urged to enroll in the State Department’s STEP program, follow Saudi Civil Defense alerts, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and shelter away from windows during an aerial attack.
Sources: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Department of State
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