U.S. Issues Terror Alert for U.S. Citizens in Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 14, 2015 (Gephardt Daily)
The U.S. State Department has issued a terror alert for American citizens in Saudi Arabia, advising them to be guarded in their travels and be vigilant while in public.
The warning, issued late Saturday, says the U.S. is temporarily closing the American embassy and consulates in Riyadh, Jedda and Dhahran.
The terror alert comes on the heels of another warning issued Friday, saying “individuals associated with a terrorist organization could be targeting Western oil workers, possibly to include those U.S. citizens working for oil companies in the Eastern Province for attacks and kidnappings.”
The full statement from the U.S. State Department in posted below:
Embassy of the United States of America Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
SECURITY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS
March 14, 2015
Due to heightened security concerns at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates have cancelled all consular services in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran for Sunday, March 15 and Monday, March 16, 2015. Telephone lines to the Consular sections will not be open during these two days. In an emergency, please use the emergency contact numbers provided below.
All U.S. citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, and take extra precautions when traveling 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.
Regardless of where you are, it is always advisable to keep your security and situational awareness levels high. Please follow these good personal security practices:
Avoid crowds or large gatherings 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; Minimize your profile while in public;
Always carry a cell phone and make sure you have emergency numbers pre-programmed into your phone such as the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh (011-488-3800), U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah (012-667-0080), and U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran (013-330-3200). 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;
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 General in Dhahran.
U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State’s, Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review the “Traveler’s Checklist,” which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad, and enroll with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1- 888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
U.S. Embassy Riyadh
Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800 Fax: (966) (11) 483-0773
U.S. Consulate General Jeddah
Telephone: (966) (12) 667-0080 Fax: (966) (12) 669-3098
U.S. Consulate General Dhahran
Telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200 Fax: (966) (13) 330-0464
