US issues security alert for govt employees in Saudi Arabia, special curbs imposed on Taif and Yanbu

The United States has tightened travel restrictions for its government personnel in Saudi Arabia amid a fresh escalation involving Yemen's Houthi group, directing employees to obtain special authorisation before travelling to Taif and Yanbu. The US Mission in Saudi Arabia announced the measure on Sunday, citing the "ongoing security situation" in the kingdom. The restriction applies to both official and personal travel by US government employees to the two cities. The mission also urged American citizens across Saudi Arabia to remain alert and follow security instructions issued by local authorities. The latest warning comes in view of a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi territory, including an attempted ballistic missile strike on the capital Riyadh.