Security Message
U.S. Embassy Riyadh
August 1, 2016
SECURITY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS:
VIOLENCE AT YEMEN BORDER
In light of ongoing incidents of violence and military activity on the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, we urge U.S. citizens to defer travel within 50 miles of the border, and to the cities of Jizan and Najran. The U.S. embassy remains concerned about the possibility of violence and military activity at unpredictable times and locations near the border with Yemen.
U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from traveling within 50 miles of the Yemeni border, and to the cities of Jizan and Najran, without permission. U.S. government personnel are similarly prohibited from traveling to the city of Qatif in the Eastern Province and its surrounding suburbs, including Awamiyah, and to the town of Hofuf and its surrounding suburbs in the Al Hasa Governorate due to violent episodes that have occurred there in the past.
Remember to vary your routes and times in all instances when traveling in the Kingdom.
All U.S. citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, and take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia and limit non-essential travel within the country. Please note that travelers holding pilgrimage visas issued by the Saudi government are strictly prohibited from travel outside of the cities of Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.
Regardless of where you are, it is always advisable to keep your security and situational awareness levels high. Be prepared to postpone or cancel activities for personal safety concerns. Report concerns you may have to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, or the U.S. Consulate in Dhahran.
For further information:
* U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State’s, Bureau of Consular Affairs website<http://travel.state.gov/>, where the current Worldwide Caution<https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html>, Travel Alerts and Warnings<https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html>, and Saudi Arabia Country Specific Information<https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/saudi-arabia.html> can be found.
· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)<https://step.state.gov/step/> to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
* Follow us on Twitter @KSA_ACS<https://twitter.com/KSA_ACS> and @TravelGov<https://twitter.com/TravelGov> as well as the U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia<https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyRiyadh/> and Bureau of Consular Affairs<http://www.facebook.com/travelgov> Facebook pages.
* You can also contact U.S. Embassy Riyadh at (966) (11) 488-3800, the U.S. Consulate General Dhahran at (966) (13) 330-3200, or the U.S. Consulate General Jeddah at (966) (12) 667-0080 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm local time in Saudi Arabia, Sunday through Thursday for routine inquiries, and outside of regular business hours, at the same numbers to reach a duty officer for assistance with emergency cases.
* In addition, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
