US issues Level 4 do-not-travel warning near Yemen border, curbs staff in Saudi

The US State Department has issued an important new security advisory for its citizens living in or planning to visit Saudi Arabia. Citing rising terrorism, ongoing armed conflict and continuing drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in areas near the Yemen border, the United States has placed travel to Saudi Arabia at "Level 3", or Reconsider Travel. In simple terms, this means American citizens should currently avoid travel to Saudi Arabia or think very seriously about it.

For areas bordering Yemen, however, the United States has issued an even stricter "Level 4", or Do Not Travel, warning. The State Department said the security situation in this region has deteriorated badly, with a direct threat from terrorist activity and military conflict. American citizens have accordingly been clearly instructed not to travel to this border region under any circumstances.

Armed Houthi groups in Yemen have targeted Saudi border towns, military bases, international airports and key energy facilities. These facilities, which are important for energy security in Europe and Asia, are facing direct attacks or missile strikes. The American administration has also warned its citizens of another danger: Saudi Arabia's advanced air defence system intercepts Houthi drones and missiles in the sky, but the burning debris this creates falls directly to the ground, in populated areas or on energy facilities. This debris is proving extremely deadly, posing a major risk to American citizens living near military bases and oil refineries.

Given how serious the situation is, the American government has also imposed strict travel restrictions on its own government employees in Saudi Arabia. American staff are strictly barred from travelling within 20 miles, or roughly 32 km, of the Yemeni border. In addition, non-essential travel to the Qatif province has been banned, while travel to the border provinces of Jizan, Asir and Najran now requires special permission from the American embassy.

This warning comes at a time when a high security alert had already been issued for the holy and important Saudi cities of Mecca and Jeddah. On September 15, Saudi Arabia's air defence forces detected and destroyed a Houthi drone in mid-air after it entered restricted airspace south of Mecca. This threat to the security of the holy area is being treated as a red line by the Saudi administration.

Alongside these security concerns, the United States has also urged its citizens to strictly follow Saudi Arabia's strict local laws. Sharing, liking or commenting on social media posts critical of the Saudi government or its policies can prove costly. People have been arrested in Saudi Arabia even for social media posts made earlier while abroad, with sentences of up to 45 years in prison. Citizens can also be barred from leaving the country through an exit ban over any financial, family or civil disputes, a ban that can remain in force for several years.