US Orders Non-Emergency Government Personnel and Families to Leave Saudi Arabia

The United States has ordered non-emergency government personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid growing concerns over security following increased attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The decision comes after recent attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in the kingdom.

According to Al Jazeera, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced the measure in a social media post. US officials have also indicated that the possible departure of family members of American personnel from other countries in the Gulf region is under consideration.

In a post published on Wednesday, October 21, local time, Pigott said the Iran-backed Houthis were engaging in increasingly hostile activities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. He said the attacks had caused civilian casualties and significantly disrupted transportation.

Pigott added that the safety of State Department personnel and their families remained the US government’s highest priority. He said Washington would continue taking necessary measures to protect and support them.

However, Pigott described as “false” an earlier media report about plans to withdraw some personnel and their family members from US embassies across several Gulf countries.