The US has ordered nonemergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia due to increased Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure and airports.
01Summary
- 01The US State Department ordered the departure of nonemergency government employees and family members from its mission in Saudi Arabia on 21 October 2026.
- 02State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Iran-aligned Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure.
- 03Four US officials told Reuters that US missions in other Gulf states would also order family members to leave.
- 04The US embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert about possible further Houthi attacks after recent deadly strikes, including on Riyadh’s airport.
- 05The embassy and a CIA station in Riyadh came under drone attack in early March 2026 as Iran began launching attacks across the region.
02Why it matters
This escalation disrupts Gulf economies and global energy trade, and affects US diplomatic staff safety in the region.
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