National Defense

US Issues Rare Security Warning For Citizens In 12 Middle Eastern Countries

Tasnim News Agency, CC via Wikimedia Commons

U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued identical red alert security warnings on Monday, advising American citizens to exercise extreme vigilance.

American citizens in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen and Iran received these warnings, Euronews reported. The security alerts stemmed from risks pertaining to the Iran war and the escalating Houthi situation.

The State Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

“Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the U.S and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions,” the alert warned.

The alert also warned U.S. citizens of travel disruptions including flight cancellation and airspace closures due to a risk of military escalation associated with the Yemeni Houthis and the Iran War, according to Euronews.

Qatar Airways announced Monday that it will suspend its Saudi Arabia-bound flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until Oct. 24  and reduced their flights to Jeddah from seven to four flights per day, the outlet reported.

“Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions,” the U.S Embassy in Saudi Arabia cautioned in a Monday X post.

“The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area,” the alert warned, before urging citizens to, “develop contingency plans in advance.”

Typically, the State Department issues local and country specific warnings. A wide coordinated warning like this is unusual and indicative of potentially severe escalations in instability. Additionally, countries such as Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia are typically considered stable regions.