Australia upgrades Saudi Arabia travel advice to do not travel

The Australian Government updated its travel advice for Saudi Arabia on Monday to "Do Not Travel" due to a volatile security situation, the Daily Mail reported. The alert was raised after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels repeatedly struck Saudi Arabia's main international airport earlier this month and issued threats targeting Saudi airports and airspace. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Australia previously warned citizens against travelling through Riyadh's airport following Houthi strikes. [1][17]

The Daily Mail noted that air travel in Saudi Arabia faces significant disruption at major airports, including regular airspace closures, flight cancellations, and delays. Concerns over security have also spread to local businesses in the capital, Riyadh. Management at the 99-storey Kingdom Center skyscraper in Riyadh made working from home mandatory for employees until further notice amid potential Houthi attacks, according to DW. [1][2][13]

Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched repeated attacks on Saudi airports and oil infrastructure using drones and missiles capable of changing direction mid-flight, PBS NewsHour reported. Regional ally Egypt pledged full support to defend Saudi Arabia's security, with Arab News and Devdiscourse reporting that Egyptian officials promised all necessary assistance. PBS NewsHour added that Egypt's top security body agreed to help defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthi strikes. [3][4][6]