As tensions erupt across the Middle East and airspace closures leave thousands of international travelers stranded, one American travel blogger says she is taking matters into her own hands — attempting a risky self-evacuation by land after claiming she received little assistance from U.S. authorities.
Alyssa Ramos, a well-known travel blogger who was in Kuwait when the conflict intensified, shared a tense update with her followers on social media as she prepared to leave the country. In a video posted on Instagram on March 3, Ramos revealed that she and a group of fellow travelers planned to cross the border into Saudi Arabia by land in an effort to escape the region.
“We are self evacuating by land,” Ramos wrote in the caption accompanying the video. “Please send us positive vibes and protection energy, we are all very scared to make this journey!”
The situation escalated after President Donald Trump announced on Feb. 28 that the United States had participated in a coordinated military strike with Israel targeting Iran. In response, Iran launched a wave of drone and missile attacks across several parts of the Middle East. Among the reported targets were areas in Kuwait City and Kuwait International Airport, creating widespread disruption and raising serious safety concerns for civilians and travelers in the region.
As the conflict intensified, many countries began shutting down or restricting their airspace, leaving airports either closed or severely limited. The sudden halt in flights has stranded large numbers of international visitors who now face significant challenges finding a safe route home.
On March 2, the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs issued a stark advisory urging American citizens across 14 countries and regions in the Middle East to leave immediately. The alert, labeled “DEPART NOW,” included locations such as Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Officials advised Americans to contact the State Department and use the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates and assistance.
However, Ramos claims that despite following those recommendations, she has been unable to receive meaningful help.
“We have had no help from the US gov,” she wrote in her post, adding that the STEP program had not provided practical assistance. According to Ramos, when she contacted the U.S. embassy and consulate, officials only repeated the general guidance already issued through official alerts.
“It is so infuriating,” she continued, accusing government agencies of failing to provide real support for Americans trying to leave the conflict zone. She also claimed authorities “do nothing to help us get away from the danger they created.”
In her video, Ramos explained that her group decided the only option left was to attempt the journey into Saudi Arabia independently. The decision, she admitted, is frightening but necessary given the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
As fighting continues across the region and travel routes remain disrupted, Ramos’ story highlights the growing uncertainty faced by civilians and tourists caught in the middle of an escalating geopolitical crisis.