UK Warns Against Travel to Saudi Arabia After Attacks

The UK's Foreign Office has issued a comprehensive travel advisory, warning against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia. This updated advice, released on October 17, follows a series of deadly attacks on the country's civilian airports. Most recently, on October 21, an attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam resulted in two fatalities and eight injuries. The victims included a Saudi citizen and an Indian national.

This incident echoes earlier attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10, which claimed at least 13 lives and injured hundreds. A subsequent strike the next day resulted in one more death. Consequently, the UK government is advising British nationals to consider alternative departure methods from Saudi Arabia, such as overland travel to neighboring countries.

The heightened threat is linked to the resumption of direct military conflict in July between the Houthi rebel group and the governments of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Office highlights a significant risk to airports, military and defense buildings, ports, and energy infrastructure across major cities including Abha, Jizan, Najran, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Yanbu. Renewed threats from Iran are also a possibility.

British nationals are urged to sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts and monitor local media. They should avoid oil infrastructure and military facilities, and follow instructions from local authorities, including seeking shelter if warned. While flights are departing, passengers are advised to confirm bookings and flight status, and to remain alert at airports.