In mid-September, the United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory warning U.S. citizens to “reconsider” traveling to the region. This is related to President Trump and Israel’s very dumb and expensive war with Iran, which has escalated military conflicts among their respective allies in the Middle East.
Despite that travel warning, the word going around was that WWE intends to land it’s 50 or 60 million dollar payday from the Saudi government by still running the Crown Jewel
PLE there on Nov. 7.
However, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi issued a new security warning this week about exercising “heightened vigilance” due to threats against airports and air space in the region. It reads as follows:
“Due to the ongoing security situation in Saudi Arabia and Houthi public threats against airports and airspace across Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Mission reminds all U.S. citizens to exercise heightened vigilance. The Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including against civilian airports, and the military conflict has the potential to escalate. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport.
U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks and need special authorization to travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif.
U.S. citizens are advised to not travel near the Yemen border.
Follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense.”
The warning also lists several “Actions to Take,” which includes avoiding “large gatherings” and to “keep a low profile.”
With the new security warning in mind, F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez now indicates there is more uncertainty within WWE about traveling to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel:
“Whether or not WWE runs Saudi in November was a big topic of conversation in WWE today.”
We are four weeks out from Crown Jewel on November 7. Do you expect that WWE will still run this event in Saudi Arabia, or will plans have to change? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
