Washington Orders Departure of Non-Essential Embassy Staff from Riyadh Following Houthi Attacks

The U.S. State Department has issued orders for non-essential government employees and their families to leave its mission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, citing escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi territory.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Biegot said in a statement posted on social media that "Iran-backed Houthis have increased their hostile actions against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," noting that these actions have included attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe disruptions to travel, adding that the safety of department employees and their families "remains our highest priority."

Biegot described an earlier media report suggesting U.S. plans to withdraw some employees and their families from embassies in other Gulf countries as "inaccurate." However, four American officials told Reuters that other Gulf missions will also issue orders for employees' families to depart — contradicting the spokesperson's denial of the report without refuting the fact itself.

The latest evacuation comes after intensifying fighting in Yemen, which has opened an additional front in the regional conflict linked to U.S.-Iran tensions. These developments have disrupted global energy trade flows and caused significant damage to Gulf economies.

Many American diplomats had been withdrawn from the region following attacks by Tehran on U.S. facilities, before Washington redeployed some diplomatic personnel to the region in recent months.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on Wednesday regarding the possibility of further Houthi strikes on the Kingdom, following attacks that killed civilians, including a strike targeting Riyadh airport. The embassy itself, along with a CIA station it hosts, had previously been targeted by drone attacks.