State Department updates travel warnings for 13 countries

The U.S. State Department has updated travel advisories for 13 countries, citing recent armed attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces and ongoing threats to American citizens. The department issued these updates on Friday, maintaining the highest advisory level for five Middle Eastern nations while designating eight others as high-risk areas requiring travelers to reconsider their plans.

Five countries, specifically Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, remain under Level 4 advisories. This category warns Americans not to travel to these locations due to severe risks. The department listed kidnapping and hostage-taking as primary concerns in all five of these nations. Additionally, civil unrest was cited as a specific risk in Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Officials also highlighted health concerns as a factor for travelers in Iraq and Yemen.

Eight other countries, including Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, are designated at Level 3. This level urges travelers to reconsider their travel plans. The advisories note that while the general levels for these regions have largely remained unchanged, the specific warnings were refreshed to reflect current conditions. The department stated that recent strikes by Iranian-supported Houthis on Riyadh's airport and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia have resulted in civilian deaths and widespread travel disruptions.

The State Department warned that these hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area of the attacks. Americans traveling to the region are advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts and updates from U.S. embassies. The department further urged travelers to monitor local news, prepare to shelter in place if conditions worsen and maintain an emergency departure plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.

These updates follow a series of recent travel warnings issued by the State Department. Last week, the department raised its advisory for Kenya from Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution," to Level 3, "Reconsider Travel." This change was attributed to health risks, crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism. Around the same time, officials warned Americans traveling to China of risks including wrongful detention, electronic surveillance and restrictions that could prevent them from leaving the country. Fox News Digital contacted the State Department for additional information regarding the latest updates.