State Department issues travel advisory as arrests and exit bans hit popular destination

Americans who may be planning an overseas trip are facing an updated warning from the U.S. State Department amid heightened safety and security concerns.

The department issued a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory for Saudi Arabia on Oct. 12 — with certain parts of the country carrying the more severe Level 4 "Do Not Travel" designation.

U.S. officials cited several concerns behind the warning — including regional conflict, terrorism, missile and drone attacks, exit bans and strict laws surrounding social media activity.