The US State Department has ordered the departure of some diplomatic personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia, following a surge in missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting civilian infrastructure and airports, according to US officials cited by Reuters and Ynetnews.
The decision comes after a series of deadly Houthi strikes, including a recent attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that killed at least one American citizen, as reported by CBS News. US officials said the ordered departure is a mandatory security measure and applies specifically to the US Mission in Saudi Arabia, with no indication of similar evacuations being prepared across other Gulf countries at this time.
According to Reuters, the State Department’s move follows an unusual wave of security alerts issued by US diplomatic missions across the Middle East, warning US citizens that fighting involving the Houthis could spread rapidly beyond currently affected areas. The alerts have advised Americans in Saudi Arabia to exercise extreme caution, particularly when using airports, and to be prepared for possible airspace closures and travel disruptions.
In addition to the airport strikes, Houthi militants have escalated their campaign with attacks on critical infrastructure, including Saudi Aramco oil facilities. Ynetnews reported that two people were killed in a drone attack on the Shaybah oilfield in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, despite Saudi air defenses intercepting the incoming aircraft. Production at the facility was reportedly unaffected, but the incident underscores the increasing threat posed by the Houthis’ long-range capabilities.
The US embassy in Saudi Arabia has been issuing near-daily alerts to Americans in the country, highlighting the risk of further attacks on airports and energy infrastructure. The State Department has emphasized that the safety of American citizens remains its top priority, and that the ordered departure is part of a broader effort to reduce risk to US personnel amid the deteriorating security situation.
The escalation in Houthi attacks comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with concerns that the conflict could spill over into neighboring countries. While the current evacuation order is limited to Saudi Arabia, US officials told Reuters that the State Department is closely monitoring the situation and may consider additional security measures for other diplomatic missions in the Gulf region if the threat expands.
It remains unclear how long the ordered departure will remain in effect or whether further reductions in US diplomatic staff will be necessary. The State Department has not commented on the number of personnel affected or provided a timeline for their return, citing ongoing security assessments.
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