The U.S. Is Evacuating Some Of Its Diplomats From Saudi Arabia
- 22.10.2026, 7:37
Due to Houthi attacks.
The U.S. State Department has ordered some staff members and their families to leave Saudi Arabia due to attacks by Yemeni Houthis. Subsequently, the families of diplomats may be evacuated from other Gulf countries.
This was reported by Reuters.
The order applies to employees not performing critical duties and their family members. According to Pigott, the decision applies only to Saudi Arabia.
However, four U.S. officials told Reuters that U.S. diplomatic missions in other Gulf countries will also be sending staff families home. The State Department spokesperson did not mention other countries.
“Iran-backed Houthis are increasingly attacking Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. This is resulting in civilian casualties and serious travel disruptions,” Pigott explained.
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh warned on Wednesday of possible new Houthi attacks. Prior to that, strikes on Saudi Arabia—in particular, on the capital’s airport—had resulted in fatalities.
The escalation in Yemen has opened yet another front in the regional conflict that began in late February with the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran. At that time, Tehran attacked U.S. facilities in the region, and most diplomats were evacuated. The embassy in Riyadh and the CIA station located there were struck by drones in early March.
The Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia’s main airport several times in a row. On October 10, an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh claimed the lives of 12 people, and another 309 were injured. Flights were diverted, and the airport was shut down.
The next day, the Houthis attacked the airport again: an unidentified projectile struck the terminal, causing a fire that killed one person and injured 11 others.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran assisted the Houthis in these attacks. Tehran provided them with intelligence and helped guide missiles and drones toward Saudi Arabia’s oil tankers, energy facilities, and airports.