Americans in Saudi Arabia warned to take extra precautions

Jeddah : Americans in Saudi Arabia were warned about a “potential, imminent threat against US citizens” Wednesday and urged to travel with caution by the State Department.

The agency tweeted out a brief statement with the headline, “Reports of a potential imminent threat” in Jeddah.

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was aware of threats to areas frequented by Westerners, such as “markets, restaurants and shopping malls,” among others, the alert said.

Those in the kingdom should “take extra precautions,” the warning noted.

Americans who planned to head to Saudi Arabia should limit “non-essential travel” and carefully weigh the risks, the State Department added.

The agency also restricted US government personnel in the country from travelling within 50 miles of the border with Yemen.

They were also prohibited from visiting larger cities in regions recently hit by violence.

“Keep your security and situational awareness levels very high. Be prepared to postpone or cancel activities for personal safety concerns,” the advisory concluded.

The travel warning came roughly five hours after a similar announcement from the State Department warning Americans in Turkey to move with caution.

“The threat of terrorist activity (including attacks by firearms, explosives, vehicular assault, or other means, as well as kidnapping) remains elevated in many countries including Turkey,” the warning said.

“According to the State Department’s Turkey Travel Warning, Westerners in Turkey have been explicitly targeted, and the Embassy advises US citizens to be mindful of the potential for danger in crowded public access areas and those frequented by tourists. Attacks in Turkey and other countries may come at any time without advanced warning.”