This message should be taken as an alert and not as an alarm. And this is a good time to remember that if you are an expat national in the Kingdom, you should register with your home country embassy in the event of any kind of incident.
Embassy of the United States of America
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WARDEN MESSAGE
August 13, 2008
The Embassy requests that wardens pass the following message in its entirety to members of the American Community:
The U.S. Embassy Riyadh has received information regarding an alleged, non-specific threat to Westerners in downtown Riyadh, KSA, possibly during the weekend of 14-17 August, 2008. We have no further details regarding this information at this time; however the Embassy recommends American citizens living in Saudi Arabia consider this information and take appropriate personal security precautions.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for Saudi Arabia, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Holidays).
American citizens are reminded to keep their registration up-to-date. See https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ for registration information.
To hear recordings of the most recent security information, you may call the Embassy in Riyadh at +966-1-488-3800 and press 6 for regional or worldwide security information or press 7 for “Travel Warning for Saudi Arabia”. You can also review earlier Warden Messages at http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/service/advisories-for-americans-in-ksa/warden-messages.html.
No. 11/2008
American citizens are reminded to keep their registration up-to-date. See https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ for registration information.
You can also review earlier Warden Messages at http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/service/advisories-for-americans-in-ksa/warden-messages.html.
General Inquiries: RiyadhACS@state.gov
ACS Website: http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/service.html
Filed under: Saudi Arabia, terrorism, travel
So be careful Carol!!!!
How scary…
I’m sure you’re safe where you are.
I use to get those same messages years back here in Bahrain…either by phone call or message. I havent gotten one in quite some time…which either means things are great(which I know they arent) or they arent that concerned with my well being anymore…sigh!
Take care Carol…and anyone else unfortunae enough to cross paths with evil.
I was surprised to receive this which mentions only Riyadh and a specific timeframe. It made me stand up and take notice — but not panic. I want to stress that such messages are warnings (and usually based on information received). It’s a good reminder that individuals should be watchful but not paranoid and be registered with their local embassy.
Now you find out…get real and cover yourself.