US embassy warns against travel to Saudi Arabia

The US embassy in Saudi Arabia has urged Americans to reconsider travel to the kingdom, citing a risk of drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and the Iranian-supported Houthis, according to Middle East Eye. France’s embassy also advised its citizens to avoid airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam on Tuesday as fighting escalates between a Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to France 24.

France 24 reported that Houthis have been attacking Saudi airports and oil facilities since last week, while Channel News Asia noted repeated strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport over the past weeks.

In response to the escalating attacks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told Bloomberg Television that Cairo is prepared to provide Saudi Arabia with any form of support, including potential military assistance, without reservation, according to Saudi Gazette. Abdelatty added that Egypt is also seriously considering joining the Makkah Joint Defense Alliance.

Additionally, Gulf News reports that UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah to condemn Houthi attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure. The UAE expressed full solidarity with the Kingdom and support for measures to safeguard its security, specifically condemning attacks on King Khalid and Abha airports.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye, Saudi Gazette, France 24, Gulf News, Channel News Asia — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.