The Donald Trump administration has issued a fresh security warning to Americans in and travelling through the Gulf, citing the risk of “unforeseen escalation” amid the latest military exchange between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi militia.
The guidance covers Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza , Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen. Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions,” the advisory read. “This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly. Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region. Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations. US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted,” it added. Commercial flights remain operational but have faced disruptions.
The US maintains a Level 3 — Reconsider Travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, citing risks including Iranian missile and drone attacks, armed conflict and terrorism. US government employees are barred from travelling within 20 miles of the Yemen border, while travel to Jizan, Asir, Najran and Qatif requires special authorisation. “Due to tensions in the Middle East , the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. Because of terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping and unrest, as per the US, yemen remains under a Level 4 – Do Not Travel advisory.
In an advisory, the US state department asked Americans to “seriously reconsider travel to and through the region” and warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
