July 25, 2013 --- US State Department,
Bureau of Consular Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Department of State urges U.S. citizens
to carefully consider the risks of traveling to Saudi Arabia. As the August 26,
2012, arrest of two terrorist cells by Saudi security authorities indicates,
there remains an ongoing security threat due to the continued presence of
terrorist groups, some affiliated with al-Qaida, who may target Western
interests, housing compounds, hotels, shopping areas, and other facilities where
Westerners congregate. These terrorist groups may employ a wide variety of
tactics, including small-scale attacks, and may target Saudi government
facilities and economic/commercial targets within the Kingdom. This replaces the
Travel Warning issued May 18, 2012, to update information on the current
security situation in Saudi Arabia and the continuing threat posed by terrorism,
and to reiterate recommendations on security awareness.
While the Saudi government has greatly improved the security environment throughout the Kingdom since the major terrorist attack against foreign nationals in 2007, it is important to note that an ongoing security threat remains. U.S. citizens who visit Saudi Arabia are strongly encouraged to carefully select hotels or housing compounds with security measures in place that meet their particular needs. This is a personal and individual decision for the traveler and/or sponsor. In addition, given that terrorists may seek predictable targets, U.S. citizens should always be aware of their surroundings when traveling or visiting commercial establishments frequented by Westerners. U.S. citizens are also advised to keep a low profile, vary times and routes of travel, exercise caution while driving, entering or exiting vehicles, and ensure that travel documents and visas are current and valid.
While the Saudi government has greatly improved the security environment throughout the Kingdom since the major terrorist attack against foreign nationals in 2007, it is important to note that an ongoing security threat remains. U.S. citizens who visit Saudi Arabia are strongly encouraged to carefully select hotels or housing compounds with security measures in place that meet their particular needs. This is a personal and individual decision for the traveler and/or sponsor. In addition, given that terrorists may seek predictable targets, U.S. citizens should always be aware of their surroundings when traveling or visiting commercial establishments frequented by Westerners. U.S. citizens are also advised to keep a low profile, vary times and routes of travel, exercise caution while driving, entering or exiting vehicles, and ensure that travel documents and visas are current and valid.
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US embassies and consulates remain closed throughout the Middle East under a non-specific threat from al-Qaida. More specifically, under a non-specific threat from AQAP -- al-Qaida Arab Peninsula. (You learn something new every day!)
I am now registered with the consulate in Jeddah.
After some data gathering today, I can say confidently that I am one of only two US citizens working at KAEC. The two of us (don't know the other guy) work among thousands of Arabs and ex-pats from all over the world: Saudis, Sudanese, Pakistanis, Syrians, Nepalese, Englishmen, Irishmen, Greeks, Indians, and lots of Lebanese citizens. Our workplace is very isolated (you've read this blog, right?) and is not a symbol of the USA or generic Western decadence -- the obvious symbols that tempt terrorists.
I am now registered with the consulate in Jeddah.
After some data gathering today, I can say confidently that I am one of only two US citizens working at KAEC. The two of us (don't know the other guy) work among thousands of Arabs and ex-pats from all over the world: Saudis, Sudanese, Pakistanis, Syrians, Nepalese, Englishmen, Irishmen, Greeks, Indians, and lots of Lebanese citizens. Our workplace is very isolated (you've read this blog, right?) and is not a symbol of the USA or generic Western decadence -- the obvious symbols that tempt terrorists.
Neither my workplace nor my mission here are controversial. I am in less danger than Boston after midnight ... but I will forever claim that the activities in this little slice of the globe have now qualified my trip as "Big Adventure".
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