Middle East and North Africa

Terrorism/Security

There is a high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. We continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks in Saudi Arabia, including against Westerners and places associated with Westerners.  We believe aviation interests and oil infrastructure remain a possible terrorist target.

The Saudi security forces continue to take action against terrorist groups which has lead to a number of terrorists being either killed or imprisoned and terrorist activities disrupted.

This success should not give rise to complacency: even though terrorist networks are disrupted we continue to believe that remaining terrorists may resort to opportunistic attacks on western targets.

Terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia have taken various forms. At their height in 2003 and 2004 they included kidnapping; large-scale truck bombings of residential compounds and Saudi government offices; an attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah; targeted shootings of individuals; small-scale car bombings; parcel bombings; and bombing of shopping areas. In February 2006, terrorists attacked an oil processing centre in Abqaiq, Eastern Province, detonating two car bombs, but were prevented from doing more serious damage; and in February 2007 four French nationals were shot dead in an incident in the vicinity of Medina. On 27 August there was an unsuccessful suicide bomb attack against a Saudi Government Minister in Jeddah. Two terrorists were killed, one arrested, and one policeman killed, in an incident at a checkpoint in Jazan on 13 October 2009.   The incident took place about 110km north of the Saudi-Yemeni border. 

You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places. You should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety. You should avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations.

British residents in Saudi Arabia are given specific guidance by the British Embassy and Consulates, including through Wardens notices.

You should follow news reports and be alert to regional developments. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Security

There have been clashes with Yemeni rebels on the Saudi-Yemen border.  Since August 2009 there has been renewed fighting in Northern Yemen between rebels and the Government of Yemen. In early November 2009, Yemeni rebels crossed the border into Saudi territory. There have been reports of a number of casualties, including some civilian fatalities, in resulting clashes between Saudi Forces and the rebels. We advice against all but essential travel to areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border in the Jizan, Asir and Najran provinces. Please contact the British Embassy in Riyadh before travelling to these areas. Travellers should exercise caution in all areas close to the Saudi-Yemen border. Please check this advice for further updates.

Political situation

Saudi Arabia Country Profile

Developments in Iraq and on the Middle East Peace Process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region.  You should be aware of local sensitivities on these issues.  You should follow local news reports and be alert to local and regional developments, which might trigger public disturbances.   You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings.

Pilgrimage

The Saudi authorities highly recommend that those who suffer from chronic diseases, such as heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and patients with congenital immunodeficiency, HIV, Metabolic Syndrome and pregnant women refrain from performing Hajj or Umrah this year for their own safety.  They also highly recommended that those aged under 12 and over 65 years old defer performing Hajj or Umrah for this year.  Please note that the advice on the Saudi Arabian Embassy website no longer requires pilgrims to obtain a flu vaccination.

You should be aware that there is a high likelihood of transmission of swine flu in the course of the pilgrimage. Although health care facilities for the Hajj are generally of a high standard, it is possible that, due to the large number of pilgrims, the healthcare available might be less than would normally be expected in the UK for people who are vulnerable to complications.

You should carefully consider the information provided on the website of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London before travelling and check the Health section below.  

Pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia through other countries should check for advice on travel restrictions with that relevant embassy in London.

Saudi government regulations stipulate that British pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj can only travel with UK travel agencies accredited with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. You should confirm the full itinerary for your pilgrimage before departing the UK. If you find yourself in difficulties during your pilgrimage, you or your relatives should contact the British Consulate-General in Jeddah (tel: +966 2 622 5550/5557/5558).

In recent years there have been improvements in the way the Hajj Pilgrimage is organised and the last time deaths and injury were caused as a result of stampede was in 2006. As with any gathering with large numbers of people care should continue to be taken.

There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of pickpocketing and other forms of theft in Mecca, particularly in the region of the Grand Mosque and in Medina.  You should take additional care with travel documents, tickets and other valuables while visiting these two areas.  We also recommend that you should make a copy of your passport before you travel, and keep it in a safe place.

The Saudi authorities have issued instructions forbidding the taking of photographs (still or video, including mobile telephone photographs) at the Holy Mosque at Makkah or at the Prophet's Mosque at Medina.  This restriction also includes the courtyards surrounding these two holy sites.  Any violation of these instructions is likely to lead to the confiscation of either film and/or camera.

For more general information see Hajj Pilgrims.

Road Travel

Standards of driving in Saudi Arabia are poor and this combined with large, open and straight roads which allow people to drive fast, results in a high number of serious motor vehicle accidents each year.  Care should be taken when travelling by vehicle and seatbelts should be worn at all times. When travelling between cities it is important to be aware of the large distances between urban areas and the fact that it can take emergency services some time to get to any accidents or emergencies.

Crime

The crime rate is low and is not usually a problem for travellers in Saudi Arabia. However, petty crime does occur, especially in crowded areas. Occasionally, British nationals have been the victims of more serious crimes such as assault and robbery, the latest being a British national who was stabbed in Jubail, Eastern Province on 20 November 2006. You should exercise caution when travelling outside urban areas.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

 

Local Travel

Sea Travel

Shipping serving the oil installations should be aware that oil infrastructure remains a possible terrorist target. Shipping must ensure that their SSPs are fully and robustly implemented while operating in the area.  All ships are to maintain a high state of vigilance while in Saudi Arabian ports and report anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities.
 
There have been acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the Red Sea.  Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf.  Vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected; and there have been occasional arrests.  Mariners should make careful enquiries before entering these waters or considering visiting ports.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.