US issues Saudi Arabia travel advisory after Houthis accused of targeting Mecca

The United States has issued an updated travel advisory for Saudi Arabia after Riyadh accused Yemen-based Houthi rebels of sending a drone towards Mecca, Islam’s holiest city

Washington has kept Saudi Arabia at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing security risks from Iranian missile and drone attacks, terrorism, armed conflict and other threats.

The advisory, issued by the US Department of State, came shortly after Saudi Arabia said its air force had intercepted a Houthi drone headed towards Mecca before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace.

The Houthis have denied targeting the holy city, calling the Saudi accusation a “worn-out lie”. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), however, condemned this “heinous” attack and expressed support for measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its holy sites and security.

In the advisory, the State Department said Americans should reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia because of the continuing risk of Iranian drone and missile attacks, armed conflict and terrorism.

It also pointed to the possibility of exit bans and Saudi laws concerning social media activity.

The advisory said Iran has previously launched missiles and drones at locations in Saudi Arabia, including cities, airports, military bases, diplomatic facilities and energy infrastructure. It warned that debris from intercepted missiles and drones could also pose a danger, particularly around military and energy sites.

The US also flagged the threat posed by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, saying the group has threatened further attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has accused the Houthis of stepping up attacks against the kingdom in recent weeks. The group has also declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia and expanded its operations around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage in the Red Sea, through which roughly 12 per cent of the world's trade passes.

Yemen border remains under ‘Do Not Travel’

While Saudi Arabia as a whole remains under a Level 3 advisory, the US has retained a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for areas along the Yemen border because of terrorism and cross-border security risks.

US government employees are barred from travelling within 20 miles of the Yemen border. Non-essential travel to Qatif is also prohibited, while special authorisation is required for travel to Jizan, Asir, Najran and Qatif.

The State Department said the overall advisory level and its risk indicators had not changed, but the guidance was updated to reflect additional restrictions affecting US government personnel.

Terrorism, social media risks also flagged

The advisory warned that terrorist attacks could target tourist sites, hotels, shopping malls, transport hubs, entertainment venues, government facilities and places frequented by foreigners.

US citizens were also cautioned about Saudi laws governing online activity. The department said Americans have previously been arrested over social media posts, including content published outside Saudi Arabia.

The advisory further warned about exit bans that can arise from criminal or civil cases, visa problems, financial disputes and labour disagreements.

The State Department advised Americans already in the kingdom to monitor local developments, keep travel documents accessible and have an emergency departure plan that does not depend on US government assistance.