OMM Newsroom
The US Embassy in Riyadh has announced that US government employees working in Saudi Arabia are barred from using the country’s airports without special permission.
The enhanced security measure was introduced after a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in the capital last week killed at least 13 people.
The embassy has urged US citizens planning to use Saudi airports to exercise extreme caution. It warned them to check flight status directly with airlines and airports and to consider the risks of possible attacks, airspace closures and flight cancellations.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport until October 17. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam remain open, but are experiencing delays and cancellations.
The US Embassy has also pointed to road, rail and bus travel as alternatives for trips to and from Saudi Arabia. International airports in neighboring Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates remain operational.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government said the Houthis launched missile strikes on the presidential palace compound in the southern city of Aden on Thursday. Five people were killed and 16 injured. The casualties included guards and civilian employees.
Yemen’s Information Minister Muammar al-Iryani said the prime minister and Cabinet members were safe during the attack. Witnesses reported hearing powerful explosions near the palace.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group had bombed a site in Aden that he described as the headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s military operations. He said the strike was part of the group’s policy of targeting locations where Saudi forces are deployed.
