UK advises against non-essential travel to five Saudi regions

• The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Aseer, Riyadh and Najran provinces, Jizan province, and Taif city and its international airport.
• The UK government warns against all travel within 10km of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.
• The advisory cites missile and drone attacks, warning that further strikes and travel disruption remain possible.

The British government has advised Thursday against all but essential travel to five areas of Saudi Arabia, citing heightened security risks amid regional tensions and the threat of further missile and drone attacks.

In an update published on October 8 and still current on October 9, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advised against all but essential travel to Aseer, Riyadh and Najran provinces, Jizan province, and Taif city, including Taif International Airport.

The FCDO also continues to advise against all travel within 10 kilometres of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.

The advisory warns that travelling against the government’s recommendations could invalidate travel insurance, urging British nationals to review the risks before making travel plans.

The UK government said the Houthis, a military group in Yemen, had launched missiles and drones targeting several locations in Saudi Arabia since July 13. It warned of a heightened threat to airports, military bases, ports and energy infrastructure, including in Abha, Jizan, Najran, Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu, as well as to shipping in the Red Sea.

“Further attacks are possible,” the FCDO said, advising British nationals to follow alerts issued by Saudi Civil Defence and monitor local and international media for updates.

The advisory also warns of possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and other travel disruption across the Middle East, urging travellers to keep departure plans under review and ensure their travel documents are up to date.

British nationals are advised to stay away from military facilities and oil infrastructure, exercise caution around airports and ports, and follow instructions from local authorities. If told to take shelter, they should remain indoors or seek the nearest safe building, preferably in an interior room or stairwell away from windows and external walls.

The FCDO said the wider regional situation remained unpredictable despite a memorandum of understanding announced by the United States and Iran on June 17. It also cited strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran across the region since July 8, warning of the risk of further attacks and unforeseen escalation.

The UK government advises travellers who decide to proceed with their trips to obtain appropriate insurance covering their destinations, planned activities and potential emergency expenses. It also recommends subscribing to FCDO email alerts for updates to its travel advice.

Read more: Saudi launches major retaliatory strikes against Houthis