We are now on the fifth day of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The situation continues to affect travel, infrastructure and regional security. Riskline is monitoring events in real time to provide accurate and actionable guidance for companies.
Key updates
Drone and missile activity
A drone targeted the Ras Tanura oil refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province but was intercepted without causing damage. Multiple drones and missiles have been intercepted across Saudi Arabia, reportedly launched from Iran, posing ongoing security risks.
Airspace closures and flight suspensions:
- Syria: Airspace closed until 8 March.
- Iraq: Nationwide airspace closure extended until 7 March.
- Gulf states: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have partially or fully closed airspace. Airlines, including Gulf Air, Etihad, Delta, El Al, Iberia Express and SriLankan Airlines, have suspended flights.
- Maritime risks: An Iranian naval vessel, the IRIS Dena, was struck off the coast of Sri Lanka, leaving over 100 missing and dozens injured, illustrating the broader risk to maritime travel.
Riskline Alerts
(as of 4 March, 10:45 GMT)
- Total alerts published: 601
- Alerts concerning the Middle East: 342
- Air travel-related alerts in the Middle East: 99
Travel Guidance
- Avoid non-essential travel to affected areas.
- Confirm flight status directly with airlines or booking agents.
- Anticipate possible delays, curfews or restrictions on movement.
- Follow all official directives and avoid military facilities.
- Ensure offline access to travel documents and emergency contacts.
Riskline continues to monitor developments in real time and provide verified risk intelligence to support informed decision-making through:
- Real-time alerts
- Advisories
- Country reports
- City reports
All information is available via the Riskline APIs and the Portal.
If you would like to utilise any of these services to support your operations and business continuity with credible, trusted information, please feel free to get in touch.