Saudi Arabia Country Report

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is bordered to the north by Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait; to the east by the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE; to the south by Oman and Yemen; and to the west by the Red Sea. The country is the birthplace of Islam, with the holy city of Mecca as the destination for millions of Muslims for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The Kingdom is one of the world's largest oil producers as well as a regional political and global economic power. The government is an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Saud. Its adherence to strict Sharia law and Wahhabism has resulted in the Kingdom seeking a delicate balancing act between domestic and international relations and traditional and modern cultural norms. De facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has pursued social and economic reforms to diversify the oil-dependent economy under the umbrella of Vision 2030. A strict crackdown has accompanied social and economic reform on dissent. Anti-terror laws are broad and sweeping in categorizing any opposition to the state. MBS has faced international pressure due to these policies, as well as the Kingdom's military involvement in Yemen. In recent years, tensions with regional rival Iran escalated amid increasingly bellicose rhetoric between Riyadh and Tehran and its regional proxies. High-profile attacks in recent years against critical Saudi oil infrastructure further deteriorated bilateral relations and raised significant concerns over Saudi Arabia's defensive capabilities. In early 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to resume normal diplomatic relations. While this has led to a temporary calming of tensions between the two seemingly erstwhile enemies, it remains to be seen how longstanding this agreement will be.

Threats to travelers largely stem from terrorism, crime, environmental, and transport infrastructure issues. Saudi Arabia has been under repeat cross-border attacks since the beginning of the Yemeni conflict and will almost certainly be subject to additional attacks for the duration of the conflict. However, Al-Houthi cross-border attacks have largely stopped since mid-2022, likely due to on-and-off-again discreet negotiations between the Kingdom and the Al-Houthis. Should negotiations fail, or Saudi Arabia's armed forces resume significant military operations against the Yemeni rebels, additional attacks cannot be ruled out. While the Saudi military claims to intercept most attacks, falling post-intercept debris remains a potentially lethal hazard. Periodic longer-range projectile attacks in the past have targeted urban city centers and critical infrastructure sites as far afield as Riyadh. Islamic State (IS) has carried out shootings and suicide bombings, although the threat has decreased due to prioritized counterterrorism efforts. Similarly, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), while significantly weaker since its heyday in the early-to-mid 2000s, still retains the ability to inspire and direct attacks as well. Previous targets of attack in the past include religious sites, security forces, and strategic locations.

Although the crime rate is low, petty crime exists, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. There are cases of sexual assaults against foreign women. While rare, there are reports of kidnappings, carjackings, armed robberies, and vehicle break-ins. Driving in the Kingdom can be hazardous - although road conditions and infrastructure are of a good standard, the number of fatal traffic accidents is high. While exceptionally rare, anti-government protests occasionally occur in the Eastern Province towns of Qatif and Awamiya. Violent clashes can occur between demonstrators and police. Cyber-attacks have in the past targeted both organizations and individuals. Most attacks are financially motivated or linked to hacktivism. Cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continue to be reported. The climate is a source of discomfort, particularly during the summer months. Sandstorms occur frequently and can interrupt land and air travel.

Artillery, rockets, weaponized drones, and missiles were routinely fired from Yemen into the southern Jazan, Asir, and Najran provinces, resulting in both military and civilian fatalities. Yemen's Al-Houthi rebels have also conducted longer-range missile attacks on major cities, including Riyadh. The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) employs a multitiered air defense system capable of effectively intercepting longer-range weapons, largely negating the impact of such incidents. High-profile attacks on critical infrastructure have raised questions over Saudi air defense capabilities and their vulnerabilities to sophisticated attacks. Desalination plants and other critical infrastructure, such as ports, along parts of the Red Sea coast have also been targeted in the past. Since late 2022, however, the frequency of Al-Houthi projectile attacks has dropped significantly; it remains to be seen how long this will remain. Water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs) are also a threat to vessels operating in the coastal border area with Yemen. Despite recent signs of de-escalation, tensions with Iran and its regional proxies remain high.

Terrorist attacks typically target Shi'a religious sites and security forces but have also repeatedly threatened foreign interests. Saudi counterterrorism efforts have been robust and wide-ranging, decreasing the threat in recent years. Further attacks cannot be ruled out, including in areas frequented by Westerners, such as shopping centers and tourist sites.

Petty crimes, including pickpocketing and purse snatching, do occur. Burglaries, carjackings, and vehicle break-ins, while rare, are occasionally reported. Violent crimes against foreigners are rare. Protests seldom take place; however, demonstrations related to sectarian issues have occurred in the largely Shi'a communities of Al-Qatif Governorate, north of Dammam, Eastern Province. Clashes sporadically occur between protesters and police.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. The conflict in Israel is unlikely to impact Saudi Arabia directly. However, Iran-backed proxy groups, specifically Yemen's Al-Houthi rebels' involvement in the conflict in Israel, could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire in Yemen and the geopolitical status quo in the Gulf.

Air travel is in compliance with international safety standards. Flights from airports in Jazan, Asir and Najran provinces can be canceled without warning due to the conflict in Yemen.

The annual death toll on Saudi roads is very high. Poor driving habits and disregard for traffic laws are common causes of road traffic incidents.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port is extremely efficient.

Access to utilities in the main cities is good, though service delivery can be poor in rural areas. Mobile broadband networks are growing fast due to increased competition and the mass market availability of smartphones.

Cyber attacks target both organizations and individuals.

The climate is generally desert and arid and is extremely hot in summer. The two main extremes in climate are felt between the coastal lands, where Mecca and Jeddah lie, and the interior, where the cities of Riyadh and Buraydah are located. Heavy rains occur occasionally and can result in flooding and affect overland travel and essential services. Most earthquakes are small and do not pose a threat to life and property. Sandstorms can lead to difficult driving conditions, trigger health problems, and severely disrupt air travel. Parts of the southern border with Yemen may be affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO). The country has high levels of pollution.

Healthcare facilities are generally on a par with those in the West. There is a wide range of public and private hospitals and clinics. However, specialist treatments may require evacuation to another country. Most medicines are available from pharmacies. Contagious diseases can spread quickly, particularly during Hajj and Ramadan. Flu, colds and respiratory problems are widely reported. Malaria is present in the southwestern region. Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals. Tap water is not safe to drink.

The government is strongly centralized, with ministers, governors, and other key political positions appointed by King Salman. The government is unrepentant about its lack of democratic institutions. This has proven beneficial to political stability for decades. However, political tensions increased after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) ordered a wave of arrests of senior princes, ministers, and businessmen in 2017, which was widely regarded as an attempt to consolidate power. Periodic reports of arrests, often under the auspices of anti-graft drives, suggest that such activity may continue to occur. The monarchy has made clear that any changes, including allowing women to drive, will be the result of a top-down approach. Any opponents to MBS' strategy or reforms are swiftly dealt with, including elements of the political elite. Responding to activism will continue to take place through a security lens, which has resulted in both suppression and coercion. Efforts to tackle corruption in Saudi Arabia are complicated by the culture of patronage and "wasta".