US Orders Diplomatic Staff and Families to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks

The US government has ordered all American diplomatic staff and their families to leave the embassy in Saudi Arabia. The decision was made on Wednesday as Houthi rebels from Yemen intensified attacks against Saudi territory. The measure also covers families of personnel at US diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain.

A diplomatic source cited by AFP confirmed that all American employees and their families received orders to leave the US embassy in Saudi Arabia. No details were released regarding the withdrawal timeline or potential changes to embassy operations.

“The safety and protection of department staff and their families remain our maximum priority, and we will continue taking all necessary measures to protect and support them.”

The State Department had previously prepared to evacuate part of its diplomatic staff and families from Gulf embassies. Three US officials told Reuters that the preparations were linked to the possibility of renewed hostilities and concerns over the security of diplomatic representations.

The US embassy in Riyadh issued an alert warning of the risk of new Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. The rebels have already carried out offensives against civilian airports and other essential installations, causing fatalities and serious disruptions to air travel.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the decision via social media. He stated that Iran-backed Houthis have intensified hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel interruptions.

Pigott emphasized that the safety and protection of department staff and their families remain the top priority. The government said it will continue taking all necessary measures to protect and support them.