‘Shelter in place’ warning as Australians told not to travel to Middle East hub

Australians have been warned to postpone any planned travel to Saudi Arabia after the government increased its travel advice amid a "volatile" security situation in the Middle East hub.

The Australian government updated its travel advice for Saudi Arabia and its international airport in Riyadh to "do not travel", after fighting between Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement and a Saudi-led military coalition saw strikes on the airport that killed at least 14 and wounded hundreds last week.

A strike on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300 , with the Houthis claiming responsibility for the ‌deadliest attack in ‌the kingdom in more than a decade.

The following Monday, another strike killed one person and injured 11 others, Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said, as the Houthis said the group had attacked other airports and said the worst was yet to come.

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The latest advice on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website said Australians should postpone any planned travel to Saudi Arabia, including for religious purposes, avoid travelling to King Khalid International Airport, and exercise extreme caution travelling to any other airports, amid an "unpredictable" security situation.

Following Houthi threats to target Saudi airports and airspace, "air travel is significantly disrupted at all major airports, with regular airspace closures, flight cancellations and delays," the missive read.

The government warned that "do not travel" also meant "do not transit".

"If you choose to travel despite our advice, ensure you understand the risks," it said.

The government warned that Australians in Saudi Arabia who wish to leave should do so "while commercial options remain available", and, if it is safe to do so, to consider private car, train or bus options, including to aviation hubs Abu Dhabi, in the UAE and Doha, in Qatar.

Travel warnings for Qatar and the UAE, whose transit hubs see millions of people each year, are currently at Level 2 — "exercise a high degree of caution", due to the threat of terrorism and the unpredictable security situation in the region.

Australians are advised not to travel from any Saudi airports, but if they do choose to do so, they should monitor updates, follow the advice of local authorities and airport staff, and minimise time there.

As flights were postponed or delayed with little to no notice, Smartraveller said: "do not leave for any airport until you have reconfirmed your flight with your airline".

"Military strikes and reprisal attacks have occurred across parts of the Middle East region and tensions remain elevated ... Security conditions can deteriorate quickly, and travel advice levels may change at short notice," it said.