US issues travel warning for Saudi Arabia citing ‘terrorist & ballistic missile’ threat

The US State Department has urged Americans to “carefully consider” the threats when traveling to Saudi Arabia. Those planning to visit the Gulf kingdom should be aware of “continuing threats from terrorist groups and the threat of ballistic missile attacks on civilian targets by rebel forces in Yemen,” it said. While the threat level is high throughout the country, Americans are specifically warned to stay alert in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran. “Terrorist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its affiliates have targeted both Saudi and Western government interests, mosques and other religious sites (both Sunni and Shia), and places frequented by US citizens and other Westerners,” the statement said. US government personnel and their families are further restricted from traveling to areas in Qatif in the Eastern Province and Hofuf in Al-Ahsa governorate.