At least six U.S. diplomatic missions across the Middle East have issued identically worded security alerts
By Bernard Moerdler,
At least six U.S. diplomatic missions across the Middle East have issued identically worded security alerts dated Saturday, warning Americans of the potential for unforeseen escalation and citing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The alerts have come from the U.S. embassies in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon and from the U.S. Mission in Iraq. Muscat distributed its version overnight through the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, while the Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain texts have been posted publicly on mission websites.
The alerts told Americans currently in the Middle East to exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions, and directed travelers to confirm departure status with their airlines. Each said Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, and that the conflict carries the potential for rapid escalation. That passage does not appear in the alerts the same missions issued on September 1, making it the substantive change in this round.
Houthi forces have struck inside Saudi Arabia repeatedly this month. Reuters reported that Houthi forces launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at King Khalid Air Base on Monday, and the New York Times reported that a Saudi military spokesman said strikes on Jeddah, Yanbu and Taif injured 13 people. Saudi civil defense said on Thursday that debris from an intercepted drone over Taif killed one person and injured two others, according to Reuters.
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Missile Defense & Alerts
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.