The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a new security advisory on Sunday, warning Americans to exercise “extreme caution” when using any airports in the country.
The October 25 alert comes less than two weeks before WWE is scheduled to hold Crown Jewel in Riyadh on November 7.
The State Department warned of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruption amid continued missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis.
U.S. government employees who remain in Saudi Arabia now require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in the country following recent attacks.
For other U.S. citizens, the embassy stated:
Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia.
The alert also provides an update on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which partially reopened on Sunday. Domestic flights and some international services operated by Saudi carriers have resumed, while a limited number of flights normally based in Riyadh are operating from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim.
Airports in Jeddah and Dammam are operating with some delays and cancellations.
The new notice also restates the State Department’s ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members.
Sunday’s alert says the order became effective on October 23. It therefore does not appear to represent a second or expanded evacuation order, but reiterates the earlier measure while adding more detailed restrictions and warnings concerning airport use.
The security situation has continued to develop since then. As reported on Saturday, U.S. intelligence officials have warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iranian plans to target Americans have reached “advanced stages.”
Travel issues reportedly affect October 31 boxing card
In a separate development, travel issues have now placed a world championship fight on another major Riyadh event in doubt.
Sports Illustrated reports that Lindolfo Delgado, trainer Robert Garcia and their team remain in the United States without travel booked for Delgado’s scheduled fight against Arthur Biyarslanov for the vacant IBF super lightweight championship.
The match is scheduled for the October 31 Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli card in Riyadh, one week before Crown Jewel.
Boxing reporter Dan Rafael reported that Biyarslanov is already in Saudi Arabia, while a source told him the Delgado fight would “probably not” take place. The match has not officially been canceled.
Saudi Arabia remains at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” under the State Department’s travel advisory system.
WWE has announced no change to Crown Jewel, which remains scheduled for November 7 at Riyadh Season Stadium.
TKO executive chair Ari Emanuel said on Friday that “everything’s still set,” adding that the company has a team monitoring developments daily and could relocate an event if necessary.
