U.S. Orders Non-Emergency Staff and Families to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Rising Attacks
The U.S. has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to return from Saudi Arabia due to escalating Houthi attacks.
Washington, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : The U.S. government has issued a directive for its non-emergency personnel and their families in Saudi Arabia to return home. This decision comes in response to an increase in attacks by Houthi rebels on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure in the region. The State Department has expressed concerns that these assaults may escalate further.
A spokesperson from the State Department confirmed the evacuation order, highlighting that recent attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and significant disruptions to travel. “The U.S. Department of State has directed those American government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia who are not involved in emergency services to return,” the spokesperson stated.
The statement attributed the rising hostility towards Saudi Arabia to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. However, specifics regarding the number of personnel affected or a timeline for their return were not disclosed.
The spokesperson emphasized, “Houthi rebels are continuously targeting Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other vital infrastructure, leading to loss of life and severe travel disruptions.” The announcement did not specify the number of casualties or detail the individual attacks, indicating that the threat extends beyond immediate concerns for U.S. personnel in the region.
As the spokesperson noted, “The potential for the conflict to escalate rapidly is significant, and it may extend beyond the region.” This directive applies specifically to U.S. government employees not engaged in emergency services and their families. There was no announcement regarding the closure of the U.S. embassy or plans to evacuate private American citizens currently in Saudi Arabia.
No similar orders were issued for personnel stationed in other countries. The spokesperson reiterated the commitment to the safety of department personnel and their families, stating, “Their security is our top priority, and we will take all necessary measures to assist them upon their return to the U.S.”
The State Department did not provide details on transportation arrangements for the personnel returning home or when they might be able to resume their duties. This announcement follows previous security alerts from the U.S. mission regarding the risks of attacks at airports and increased disruptions to air travel.
On October 20, the embassy issued an alert via its official LinkedIn account, stating that operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had been suspended. While operations at airports in Jeddah and Dammam were ongoing, delays and flight cancellations were reported.
The alert also mentioned that, due to recent missile and drone attacks, U.S. government employees would require special permission from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia.
