Saudi Arabia has received urgent travel alerts from Canada, the UK, US as well as Australia due to the ​​significant security threats in areas of the country such as Najran, Abha, Qatif and areas along the border with Yemen and Iraq. Hundreds of Brits remain trapped in Saudi after the country went into lockdown from Qatar following allegations the country supported terrorism. The warnings are being issued as the number of international visitors from the countries is rising, forcing governments to caution their citizens about unstable conditions in and around areas with conflicts, legal risks associated with activity on social media and potential sudden changes in traveling conditions.

Canada Flags Rising Risk Zones Near Yemen and Iraq as Tourist Numbers Grow

Canada’s official travel advisory urges all citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing risks tied to regional tensions, terror threats, and sudden outbreaks of violence. Most notably, the Canadian government has advised travelers to avoid all travel within 80 kilometers of the Yemeni border, an area often targeted by rocket, missile, and mortar attacks. That warning specifically applies to the southern city of Najran, which lies dangerously close to this conflict zone.

In addition, Canada warns tourists to avoid all non-essential travel to “out of bounds” areas within 20 kilometers of the Iraq border, including the towns of Hafr al Batin and Khafji. Also under strict advisory is Abha International Airport in Asir Province, which Canadian authorities flagged due to persistent threats of missile and drone attacks. The city of Qatif, along with its suburb Al Awamiyah, is also listed as a zone of elevated risk, citing repeated clashes between local militants and Saudi security forces.

This comes as over 1.12 million Canadian tourists visited Saudi Arabia in November 2024 alone, marking a dramatic increase in travel interest. With such high numbers, the Canadian government is emphasizing the importance of staying informed and adhering strictly to its guidance for high-risk areas.

UK Urges Citizens to Avoid Yemen Border Regions Amid Regional Unrest

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also tightened its guidance for travelers to Saudi Arabia, specifically advising against all travel within 10 kilometers of the Saudi-Yemen border. The advisory further restricts non-essential travel to the 10–80 kilometer band beyond the immediate border, once again impacting areas such as Najran, which has historically seen drone and missile strikes linked to regional conflicts.

The UK has also noted the impact of broader tensions, particularly in light of the 24 June 2025 ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Although the truce has temporarily eased some concerns, the FCDO warns that regional instability remains unpredictable and travelers should remain vigilant for sudden changes in security. The advisory stresses that travelers must closely follow local authority instructions, monitor global and regional media, and be ready for transport disruptions at short notice, including airport delays or airspace closures.

United States Emphasizes Missile Threats and Social Media Crackdown

The United States has issued one of the most detailed warnings, urging its citizens to exercise increased caution throughout Saudi Arabia, while issuing strict “do not travel” guidance for specific areas. At the top of this list is the 20-mile zone along the Saudi-Yemen border, which includes Najran, a city considered highly vulnerable to Houthi-led missile and drone attacks. The U.S. also advises against visiting Qatif and its suburbs, including Awamiyah, due to continued unrest and the risk of violent conflict between civilians and Saudi security forces.

The advisory further highlights how the Houthi rebels have increasingly targeted vessels in Red Sea shipping lanes, and although attacks on Saudi territory have subsided during the current truce, the threat of renewed violence remains high. In past years, drone and missile attacks have hit airports, energy infrastructure, military bases, and even urban centers—making areas like Abha potential targets once more.

One of the more alarming elements of the U.S. advisory is its focus on social media activity. U.S. citizens are warned that posting, sharing, or even “liking” content that could be interpreted as critical of Saudi policies may lead to arrest—even if the post was made outside the kingdom. Under Saudi cybercrime and anti-terrorism laws, individuals have received prison sentences of up to 45 years, and Saudi courts do not consider the date or origin of the post as mitigating factors.

Despite these risks, Saudi Arabia continues to welcome growing numbers of international travelers, though specific figures for U.S. citizens were not publicly available. Still, the inclusion of these robust warnings highlights how even leisure travel to the Kingdom must now be accompanied by strict personal conduct and regional awareness.

Australia Stresses Caution for All Travelers and Warns of Disruptions

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) continues to advise travelers to exercise a high degree of caution throughout Saudi Arabia, warning of the potential for airspace closures, missile strikes, and sudden military escalations. The advisory, last updated on June 30, 2025, underscores that conditions can change without notice, particularly as tensions in the wider Middle East remain unstable.

Although Australia’s advisory does not list specific cities by name—unlike those from the U.S. and Canada—it reinforces the same concerns for border areas with Yemen and Iraq, as well as general concerns over terrorism, civil unrest, and flight disruptions.

This cautionary message coincides with a gradual uptick in travel from Australia to Saudi Arabia. In February 2025 alone, over 1,560 Australian visitors arrived in the Kingdom, following 1,330 arrivals in December 2024. Though modest in comparison to Canadian numbers, the steady rise in Australian tourism to Saudi Arabia suggests increasing interest—making it all the more critical for travelers to heed official warnings.

Final Safety Recommendations for Travelers

Travelers from Canada, the UK, the U.S., and Australia planning to visit Saudi Arabia in 2025 should take note of the following high-risk zones and safety protocols:

Do Not Travel To:

• Within 80 km of the Yemen border, especially cities like Najran.
• Qatif and Awamiyah, Eastern Province (Canada and US).
• 20 km near the Iraq border, including Hafr al Batin and Khafji (Canada).
• Abha International Airport, due to missile threat (Canada).

Exercise Increased Caution In:

• All of Saudi Arabia, due to terrorism risks, drone activity, and possible unrest.
• Social media use—any posts critical of the state may result in arrest or lengthy imprisonment.

Prepare For:

• Flight delays or airspace closures if regional conflict escalates.
• Limited consular access in restricted zones.

Canada, the UK, the US, and Australia have issued urgent travel advisories for Saudi Arabia due to high-risk threats in Najran, Abha, Qatif, and border zones near Yemen and Iraq, where ongoing tensions, drone strikes, and terrorist activity pose serious dangers to travelers. These warnings follow a rise in international tourist arrivals, prompting governments to stress caution in volatile regions.

With Canadian visits surpassing 1 million monthly at peak, and Australian arrivals steadily rising, Saudi Arabia is clearly opening up to more global travelers. Yet as these new travel advisories show, understanding and respecting the complex security landscape is more essential than ever before.