The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted a notice to its website yesterday warning of “potential, imminent threat against U.S. citizens in areas of Jeddah frequented by Westerners, such as markets, restaurants, and shopping malls, among others.”
State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington that the notice is “a security message, not a travel warning,” according to rferl.org.
U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Obviously, our consulate felt that the information they had was credible enough, serious enough to warrant sending that message out immediately,” he said.
On July 4th, a suicide bomber attempted to detonate a device near the U.S. consulate in Jeddah and died in the process. Two security officers were slightly injured as they tackled the man, but no one else was hurt. Photos of the deceased man were posted to the Saudi Press Agency following the attack. The U.S. Consulate issued a warning following that failed attempt.
A copy of the July 21 announcement is below.
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The United States Embassy has received reports of a potential, imminent threat against U.S. citizens in areas of Jeddah frequented by Westerners, such as markets, restaurants, and shopping malls, among others.
Remember to vary your routes and times in all instances when traveling in the Kingdom.
All U.S. citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, and take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia and limit non-essential travel within the country. Please note that travelers holding pilgrimage visas issued by the Saudi government are strictly prohibited from travel outside of the cities of Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.
U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from traveling within 50 miles of the Yemeni border, and to the cities of Jizan and Najran, without permission. U.S. government personnel are similarly prohibited from traveling to the city of Qatif in the Eastern Province and its surrounding suburbs, including Awamiyah, and to the town of Hofuf and its surrounding suburbs in the Al Hasa Governorate due to violent episodes that have occurred there in the past.
Regardless of where you are, it is always advisable to keep your security and situational awareness levels high. Be prepared to postpone or cancel activities for personal safety concerns. Report concerns you may have to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah, or the U.S. Consulate in Dhahran.
Please follow these good personal security practices:
- Avoid crowds or large gatherings, and keep a low profile when traveling in public.
- Know where you are going and have a plan of what to do in the event you encounter demonstrations or violence.
- Identify safe areas (for example police stations, hospitals, Saudi Government buildings) in your area and how to get to them quickly.
- Tell co-workers or neighbors where you’re going and when you intend to return.
- Always carry a cell phone and have emergency numbers pre-programmed into your phone. The emergency number for the Saudi Police, Fire, and Rescue is 999. Please keep in mind that most emergency dispatchers and personnel do not speak English.
