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U.S. Elevates Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory to Level 3
(MENAFN) The US State Department escalated its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to Level 3 — Reconsider Travel — on Wednesday, pointing to mounting security threats stemming from the ongoing US and Israeli military campaign against Iran.
As part of the move, the agency authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and their dependents from the kingdom, citing direct safety concerns.
"Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity," the agency said in an advisory.
The State Department further flagged Yemen's Houthi group as a persistent threat, noting the militia had previously conducted missile and drone campaigns against Saudi cities, airports, military installations, and energy infrastructure — raising alarm over the possibility of renewed strikes amid the current regional flare-up.
American nationals were explicitly warned against traveling to areas near the Yemeni border, which remain under a Level 4 — Do Not Travel designation due to active terrorism threats. US personnel face additional restrictions, barred from traveling within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the Yemen border or visiting the eastern city of Qatif for non-official purposes.
In a parallel development, Washington also upgraded its travel warning for Cyprus — jumping from Level 1 directly to Level 3 — and similarly authorized the exit of non-emergency staff. The advisory cited widespread flight disruptions since the outbreak of US-Iran hostilities, as well as a March 2 drone strike on a building located within the British Sovereign Base Area on the island.
The sweeping advisories come in the wake of a large-scale US-Israeli offensive launched Saturday against Iran, which killed several of Tehran's most senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes aimed at Israel and US-linked installations across Gulf nations.
As part of the move, the agency authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees and their dependents from the kingdom, citing direct safety concerns.
"Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity," the agency said in an advisory.
The State Department further flagged Yemen's Houthi group as a persistent threat, noting the militia had previously conducted missile and drone campaigns against Saudi cities, airports, military installations, and energy infrastructure — raising alarm over the possibility of renewed strikes amid the current regional flare-up.
American nationals were explicitly warned against traveling to areas near the Yemeni border, which remain under a Level 4 — Do Not Travel designation due to active terrorism threats. US personnel face additional restrictions, barred from traveling within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the Yemen border or visiting the eastern city of Qatif for non-official purposes.
In a parallel development, Washington also upgraded its travel warning for Cyprus — jumping from Level 1 directly to Level 3 — and similarly authorized the exit of non-emergency staff. The advisory cited widespread flight disruptions since the outbreak of US-Iran hostilities, as well as a March 2 drone strike on a building located within the British Sovereign Base Area on the island.
The sweeping advisories come in the wake of a large-scale US-Israeli offensive launched Saturday against Iran, which killed several of Tehran's most senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes aimed at Israel and US-linked installations across Gulf nations.
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