The United States has updated its travel advisory for nationals of 14 Middle East countries, urging them to follow guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and to contact the Department of State for information and assistance.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the countries were listed on Friday and Saturday in “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” or “Level 4: Do Not Travel” categories.
The countries placed in Level 3 are Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, “due to terrorism and armed conflict”, Israel “due to terrorism and unrest”, Kuwait “due to armed conflict, landmines, and crime”, as well as Qatar “due to risk of armed conflict”.
Saudi Arabia is also placed in Level 3, “over drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and the Iranian-supported Houthis, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity.”
Iran and Iraq were listed in Level 4, over “threat of increased Iranian-supported Houthi regional aggression”, while Syria is also listed in the level, “due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, crime, and armed conflict”, as well as Yemen and Lebanon due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflicts.
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