The U.S. State Department has revised travel advisories for several Middle Eastern nations, warning Americans about possible armed attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces and other threats targeting U.S. citizens.
Five countries—Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen—remain under the department’s highest warning, Level 4, which advises Americans not to travel.
Eight additional countries, including Israel, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, are classified as Level 3, meaning travelers should reconsider plans to visit.
Although the advisory levels were largely unchanged, the State Department updated all 13 notices on Friday.
The updates pointed to recent attacks by Iranian-supported Houthi forces, including strikes on Riyadh’s airport in Saudi Arabia and “other critical infrastructure,” according to the department.
The attacks have caused civilian deaths and significant travel disruptions. The State Department warned that the hostilities “have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.”
Officials also cautioned that Americans visiting the region could face other dangers, including health-related risks in Iraq and Yemen.
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Kidnapping and hostage-taking were identified as additional threats in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, the State Department said.
The advisories also cited the risk of civil unrest in Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
The State Department recommends that Americans traveling to the affected countries enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, to receive security alerts and updates from U.S. embassies.
Travelers are further advised to follow local news, be ready to shelter in place if conditions deteriorate and create an emergency departure plan that does not depend on assistance from the U.S. government.
Fox News Digital contacted the State Department for additional information.
The revisions come after the State Department issued several other travel warnings in recent weeks.
Last week, officials raised Kenya’s travel advisory from Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” to Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” citing health risks, crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism.
Around the same time, the department warned Americans traveling to China about the potential for wrongful detention, electronic surveillance and restrictions that could prevent them from leaving the country.
