US Orders Non-Essential Embassy Staff and Families to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — October 22, 2026: The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia as security concerns grow following a series of attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, the US State Department has confirmed.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the decision followed increasing Houthi hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that have caused casualties and disrupted travel.

“The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority,” Pigott said, adding that Washington would continue taking steps to protect its personnel.

US clarifies scope of departure order

The announcement followed reports that US diplomatic missions across several Gulf countries could face staffing withdrawals. A diplomatic source told AFP that families of embassy personnel in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain had also been ordered to leave.

However, the State Department clarified that its formally confirmed departure order applied only to non-emergency US government employees and their families in Saudi Arabia. The department rejected reports suggesting that the same order covered all Gulf missions.

The distinction is significant because reports about possible family departures from other countries have not been confirmed as part of the same official order.

Attacks heighten security concerns

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated security incidents this month amid escalating hostilities involving the Houthis. According to 24 News HD, Saudi authorities reported that falling debris from an intercepted drone targeting an oil facility near the United Arab Emirates border killed two people and injured two others.

A separate attack on Dammam airport reportedly killed one person and wounded eight. Saudi-led coalition forces also reported intercepting drones, while the US Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert warning of the possibility of further attacks.

The available reports do not establish responsibility for every incident. Saudi authorities said the intercepted drone had targeted an oil facility, but the report did not identify who launched it.

Embassy issues travel and security warnings

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned American citizens to monitor security developments and follow alerts issued by Saudi authorities. Anadolu Agency reported that the embassy also imposed additional restrictions on US government personnel using airports in the kingdom following recent missile and drone attacks.

The security measures come amid wider regional tensions and a renewed escalation of fighting in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Regional implications

The departure order reduces the US diplomatic presence in Saudi Arabia at a time when attacks on transport and energy infrastructure are disrupting travel and raising concerns about regional security.

The move follows earlier withdrawals of non-essential US personnel from parts of the Gulf during the wider conflict involving Iran. The latest announcement, however, should not be interpreted as confirmation of a blanket evacuation of all US diplomatic missions across the region.

The US government has said the safety of its personnel and their families remains its priority. Further developments will depend on the security situation and any additional instructions issued by Washington or individual US missions.