U.S. warns of possible threat to Americans in Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON – The United States is warning of a possible attack against Americans in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.

In a security message for U.S. citizens, the State Department said it has received reports of a “potential, imminent threat” in areas of the Red Sea port city frequented by Americans and other Westerners. These include markets, restaurants and shopping malls.

The alert instructs Americans to reconsider non-essential travel plans within Saudi Arabia.

At a news briefing in Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby on Thursday said the “information just recently became available to us.”

He told reporters the threat was “credible enough and specific enough” that it warranted an immediate security message.