UK advises against using any Saudi airport except Medina

The British government has advised its citizens against all but essential travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah and Dammam, and to all airports in the country except Medina International Airport. The UK has further warned British nationals not to try and leave Saudi Arabia via airports in the country. This comes after a fresh attack on a passenger terminal at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, which killed at least one person and wounded 11. Saturday's attack on the airport killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300 - making it the deadliest strike on a Gulf country since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement that four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, one American, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese were killed in the attack. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters It was the third attack on the airport in a week, following earlier strikes that killed four people and damaged a Saudi commercial aircraft. The British Foreign Office updated its official guidance on Sunday to advise UK nationals against "all but essential travel to all airports within Saudi Arabia except for Medina International Airport", as well as "all but essential travel to Aseer province, Riyadh province, Najran province, Jizan province and the cities of Taif, Jeddah and Dammam". Houthi forces warn against use of Saudi airports following Riyadh attack Read More » The Foreign Office further advised against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen. "As an alternative to airports within Saudi Arabia," the Foreign Office said British nationals wishing to depart Saudi Arabia should consider options to travel by land to neighbouring countries and fly from there. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned travellers, airlines and shipping companies not to use Saudi airports and airspace, saying they are “exposed to targeting and a theatre for operations by our forces”, with the exception of the airports of Mecca and Medina. Saree said Houthi forces carried out several operations against King Khalid airport on Saturday, “resulting in the disruption of air traffic at the airport and its complete closure”. He also listed King Fahd Airport in Dammam, an Aramco-affiliated petrol station and a refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region among the targets. 'Dangerous escalation' The latest attacks mark a significant escalation in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen, with renewed fighting and a Saudi-led military offensive against the group. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemned Saturday's airport attack as a "dangerous escalation" and "completely contemptible action". Meanwhile in Yemen, air strikes have been reported on the Hamdan district in Sanaa and two more strikes on al-Zurbi Road in the Hayfan district in Taiz, according to Sanaa-based media. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan activate Mecca Pact amid war with Houthis Read More » Missile attacks were also reported on the border district of al-Dhaher in Saada province. No casualties have been reported so far. The US State Department has urged American citizens to take "extreme caution" when travelling through airports in Saudi Arabia, amid renewed attacks. "U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as the airports in Jeddah and Dammam," its official account on X said. "Please take extreme caution when using all major airports in Saudi Arabia. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions." Amid the escalation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke over the phone to his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan. According to Iranian state media, Araghchi said Iran was ready to help start dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. He expressed concern over escalating tensions, and insisted that a "military approach and ignoring a political solution will further complicate the current situation". Araghchi also further stressed that crisis in the region "have no military solution", adding that Tehran is "ready to provide any assistance to help start dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen and to help achieve a political solution".