close
Sunday, October 18, 2026

Houthi Attack: U.S. issues second security alert to citizens in Saudi Arabia in two days

This follows warnings from Australia, the U.S., and the UK urging citizens to avoid travelling to Saudi Arabia because of security concerns.

• October 18, 2026
King Khalid International Airport
King Khalid International Airport[Credit: Financial Times]

The United States government issued a second security alert to its citizens in Saudi Arabia regarding the use of airports in the kingdom, following missile attacks on the country’s airports.

In a statement on Sunday, the U.S. embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia said citizens were to follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense via cellular broadcast.

It said operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remained suspended, adding that King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam were operational, with some delays and cancellations.

“U.S. citizens should be aware of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions. Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia,” the memo read.

It urged its citizens to check their flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport.

“Private car, train, and bus options may provide alternatives to air travel to or from Saudi Arabia,” it said.

It explained that its citizens should confirm availability and schedules directly with the providers.

“Land border crossings, including the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, remain operational. All highways and roads in and around Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran remain operational,” the embassy said.

The advisory stated that international airports in neighbouring Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates remained operational, while advising travellers to confirm their status directly with the relevant airports.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned against “filming, publishing, or sharing information related to countering missiles and drones and their impact sites.

“U.S. citizens have been detained for not adhering to these regulations, including taking photos of government buildings, airports, and impact sites.”

It added that visitors and residents were subject to local laws while in Saudi Arabia.

This came after Australia, the U.S., and the UK warnedcitizens against travelling to Saudi Arabia over security concerns, citing threats to airports and disruption to air travel.

The Nigerian government and the African Union Commission had earlier condemned the attack carried out at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

African Democratic Party (ADC)

Hot news Home top

ADC kicks over Tinubu’s nomination of Sokoto governor Ahmad Aliyu’s brother as INEC REC for North-West

The ADC noted, “The credibility of INEC in 2027 demands answers before confirmation, not explanations after the election.”

Tinubu and Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Heading 1

Buhari was reluctant to hand over power to Tinubu, saw him as bad news for Nigeria: Baba-Ahmed

Mr Baba-Ahmed said “Nigerians ought to have known there was something wrong the day Tinubu said, ‘It’s my turn.’ Maybe we missed it.”

Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Joash Amupitan's

Hot news Home top

HURIWA kicks over INEC chairman’s redeployment of Segun Sowunmi’s wife to oversee 2027 polls

HURIWA faulted Ms Adeyemi-Showunmi’s redeployment based on her husband’s loyalty and support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Heading 5

Arsenal pip Forest 1-0 as Man United’s poor league start continues

The Red Devils would be looking for a rebound when they face Como in their next UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday.

Atiku Abubakar

Heading 3

Tinubu sends police officers to face criminals, abandons them to beg in retirement: Atiku 

Mr Atiku said, “If this government will not end this disgrace, I will act when I assume office in May 2027.”

Heading 2

51 African nations participate in our IPO; offer emerges as first truly Pan-African: Dangote Refinery

Mr Erden said, “This offering represents far more than a capital-raising exercise.”