Australia escalates travel warnings for Middle East destination
Updated . First published at
Australia has escalated its warning for travellers not to visit Saudi Arabia following Yemen’s Houthi movement threat of further attacks.
In updated travel advice on Monday, Smartraveller said the security situation was volatile.
Travel warnings for Saudi Arabia have been updated. iStock
“The Houthis have threatened to target Saudi airports and airspace,” Smartraveller said.
“Air travel is significantly disrupted at all major airports, with regular airspace closures, flight cancellations and delays.”
The advice was first escalated on Friday following the dual attacks on the King Khalid International Airport that killed a dozen and left hundreds more injured.
Houthis have named the state-run Aramco Headquarters in Dammam and the Aramco refinery in Riyadh as targets.
“We recommend to exercise extreme caution near these sites. Avoid oil and energy infrastructure across the country,” the government-run website said.
Australians are advised not to travel to King Khalid Airport in Riyadh and exercise extreme caution when travelling to and from all other airports.
Anyone scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia, including for the famous religious pilgrimage to the holy site of Mecca, is told to postpone their plans.
The Iran-allied Houthis recently launched major attacks on the King Khalid Airport amid renewed fighting with Saudi-backed forces.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. UGC via AP
Saudi Arabia leads the coalition that backs the internationally recognised government in Yemen.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday said he was ready to provide Saudi Arabia with support against the Houthis, threatening to intensify the conflict in the Middle East.
The recent attacks have added another frontier to the US’ ongoing conflict with Iran, with neither side being able to reach a ceasefire agreement almost eight months into the war.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier this month said the latest strikes on Riyadh were concerning and warned it would lead to upward pressure on oil prices.
The global conflict has been blamed for worsening Australia’s inflation problem.
“It’s been a disaster from a cost of living point of view for Australians and from an economic point of view, the end of the war can’t come soon enough,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said last week.
