A Saudi lawyer, Bataa Al-Shamri, was hospitalized after being shot in Syria where he had gone to spend his summer vacation recently. Likewise, another Saudi was seriously wounded in a similar attack in Syria a month ago. The young man later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in the Kingdom.
Incidents such as these, even though they may be infrequent, have sparked a new debate in the Kingdom with people discussing which locations are safe for Saudi holidaymakers. The authorities have also cautioned citizens to be selective when traveling and avoid unsafe destinations, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported.
The report about Al-Shamri in Al-Riyadh newspaper drew hundreds of comments on the paper’s website with many people advising others to be careful when traveling abroad, and voicing concerns at the way Saudis were being targeted abroad, especially in Syria.
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Countries top the list of victims of fraud, robbery and exploitation in some of these countries, something that underscores the need for a vigorous awareness campaign targeting aspiring holidaymakers.
Readers also called on the authorities to ensure tourists are provided with safe and secure environment, and highlighted the significant role that Saudi diplomatic missions could play in those countries in protecting Saudis.
With regard to the general feeling that Syria is becoming unsafe for tourists, Fawaz Al-Shaalan, minister plenipotentiary and chargé d’affaires at the Saudi Embassy in Damascus, said this is unfounded.
“Syria has been classified as a safe country by independent international agencies. We, the staff at the Saudi Embassy, do not believe that Saudi citizens are targets of any organized crimes. There have been no cases in which Saudis have been singled out for attack in Syrian cities and tourist destinations. What happened to Al-Shamri recently and another young Saudi man last month were isolated cases,” he said, adding that this could happen to either Saudis or non-Saudis in any country.
Al-Shaalan said the embassy has been closely following up on the two cases. “As far as Al-Shamri’s case is concerned, the person who attacked him wanted to rob him. He came under attack in the countryside outside Damascus, away from police and surveillance. We will announce the outcome of the investigation into the incident once it has been made available by Syrian security officials,” he said, highlighting how embassy staff are keen to closely follow up on such incidents and do whatever is needed to protect Saudi holidaymakers.
Hundreds of Saudis, including families, visit Syria for their annual vacation, said Al-Shaalan, adding that the Syrian authorities have in recent years eased procedures to enter the country. He further called on people to avoid places that are more vulnerable to attacks and theft, and avoid walking around after midnight.
“People should keep their travel documents, especially passports, in safe places. They should immediately report to the embassy after arriving in Syria. They should also take care not to drive vehicles without proper documentation,” he said. He also urged Saudis to contact embassy officials if they are cheated, exploited or robbed, adding that the embassy will do whatever it can to support them.
On his part, Adel Al-Masud, director general of an online club for people wishing to make trips to Syria, emphasized that Saudi tourists are not the targets of attacks in Syria.
“There might have been some incidents in the past but they were isolated. Those involved in such acts do not represent the Syrian people with whom Saudis have deep relations,” he said, adding that the Syrian police have been successful in nabbing criminals.
Al-Masud warned Saudi holidaymakers against frequenting uninhabited areas or remote regions, especially when driving cars with Saudi number plates. “Saudis constitute a major segment of tourists who visit Syria. The Syrian authorities are taking utmost care in ensuring safety and security of Saudi tourists,” he said.
He further urged Abdullah Al-Aifan, Saudi ambassador to Syria, to open the embassy’s doors around the clock so that people could visit it at any time with their grievances.
