U.S. Embassies Warn Americans of Possible Airspace Closures Across 12 Middle East Locations
U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued identical security alerts on October 18-19 warning Americans of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and Houthi attacks on Saudi airports.
U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued nearly identical security alerts on October 18 and 19, warning American citizens of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and rapid escalation in the region.
The alerts cover 12 locations: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Iran, Qatar, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and Israel and Jerusalem, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation, which quoted the State Department’s TravelGov account.
“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment,” the alerts state. “Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.”
The alerts cite attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and other infrastructure that caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruption. “The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area,” the alerts warn.
The messages also warn that “Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions.”
Flights already disrupted
Qatar Airways said on Monday it would suspend flights between Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Dammam airports until October 24 and cut Jeddah service from seven flights a day to four, the Daily Caller reported, citing Euronews.
Coordinated region-wide warnings like these are unusual. The State Department usually issues local, country-specific alerts, according to the Daily Caller. Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are usually seen as stable areas.
The alerts do not state that any larger strike is ordered or underway. Travelers in the region are advised to check flight status directly with airlines and airports and to prepare backup plans, according to Tunisia Online News.
Reporting based on coverage by the Daily Caller News Foundation and Tunisia Online News.
