Authorities issue urgent travel warning for Aussies heading to Saudi Arabia amid Middle East turmoil
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an urgent travel warning advising Australians to avoid King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh following two recent missile attacks. The strikes, which occurred last Thursday and Friday, killed 13 people and injured over 300 others, with the second triggering a major fire inside the terminal. This warning directly affects Australian travellers, as there are no direct flights between Australia and Saudi Arabia, with most transiting through the airport.
The attacks are part of escalating military conflict in the region, with Yemen-based Houthis conducting strikes against Saudi Arabia since 13 July. Smartraveller advised Australians to reconsider overall travel to Saudi Arabia, warning that military strikes and reprisal attacks are ongoing, particularly in Riyadh. Travellers are instructed to monitor airline updates, avoid military and energy sites, and seek shelter in substantial buildings if strikes occur. The advisory emphasised the situation remains unpredictable, though warning levels for Qatar and the UAE were recently downgraded.
- Missile attacks on Riyadh airport kill 13, injure 300+
- Yemen-based Houthis escalate military strikes against Saudi Arabia
- Australia warns travellers to reconsider all travel to Saudi Arabia
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Australia's government has warned citizens to avoid King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after two missile strikes last week killed at least 13 people and injured over 300, with the second causing a major fire inside the terminal building. This matters to Australians because most flights to and from Australia to the wider Middle East transit through this airport.
Saudi Arabia has been attacked repeatedly by the Houthis, a military group based in Yemen, since July this year. These strikes are part of broader military tensions across the Middle East, and authorities indicate further attacks are possible. Neighbouring countries such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have recently had their travel warning levels downgraded, but Saudi Arabia remains at a higher alert level.
Australians are now advised to reconsider non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia and to take precautions such as avoiding military and energy facilities and knowing where they can take shelter. Officials assess the risk to civilian safety remains too high to recommend travel at this time.