Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has updated its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, raising the alert level for eight provinces, including the capital Riyadh and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, to Level 3 (Avoid All Travel).
The areas subject to the upgrade are Riyadh Province, Eastern Province (excluding areas along the border with Yemen), Mecca Province, Medina Province, Najran Province, Asir Province, Jazan Province, and Al Bahah Province. For four of these provinces—Riyadh, Eastern, Mecca, and Medina—the ministry stated that stays will not be discouraged where there are truly unavoidable circumstances, such as corporate or organizational activities. In such cases, travelers are urged to avoid approaching dangerous facilities and areas, remain in close contact with the Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan in Saudi Arabia, and take necessary and sufficient security measures.
Level 3 remains in effect for areas along the Yemen border in Eastern, Asir, Najran, and Jazan provinces. Level 2 (Avoid Non-Essential Travel) also remains in effect for Northern Borders Province, Al Jawf Province, Tabuk Province, Ha’il Province, and Al-Qassim Province.
The upgrade comes amid continuing and escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. On October 15, the Saudi-led coalition announced that Houthi attacks since October 7 had killed a total of 17 people and injured 333 at an airport in Riyadh, while a total of three people were killed and 28 injured at Abha Airport. Saudi authorities also announced that attacks on an international airport and oil facilities in Eastern Province on October 22 killed a total of three people and injured 10. The Houthis have announced that they will continue operations within Saudi Arabia, and the outlook for the situation remains unclear.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is not recommending that people currently staying in the newly designated Level 3 areas leave the country immediately, including by land. Even if conditions improve in the future, those considering departure by air or land are urged to carefully check the latest situation in advance and consult the local Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan as necessary.
Travel to the southern provinces of Najran, Asir, Jazan, and Al Bahah should be avoided regardless of purpose. The ministry also calls on people not to approach energy-related or military facilities, including buildings other than military bases, and to act with caution, including by refraining from taking photographs or videos of such facilities even from a distance.
