Politics
U.S. directs some government staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia as Houthi threat grows
The State Department ordered nonessential U.S. government employees and their family members to depart Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The move followed a U.S. Embassy warning about the risk of further Houthi attacks.
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday, Oct. 21, ordered nonessential government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, citing escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement and the possibility of more strikes.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Iranian-supported Houthis had increasingly attacked Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. He said those attacks had caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.
“The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority,” Pigott said in a social media post, adding that the department would take steps to protect and support them.
The departure order came as the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert warning of the potential for further Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia. The State Department did not specify how many employees or family members were affected.