The U.S. State Department has ordered non-essential personnel and their family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. This move has raised concerns about the possibility of a major attack on Saudi soil. The decision to evacuate staff comes in the wake of persistent attacks by Houthi rebels, as reported by CNN.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated on the social media platform X that the Iranian-backed Houthis are escalating their hostility toward Saudi Arabia. They have been targeting civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and severe disruptions to travel. A source told CNN that, due to these mounting risks, the U.S. is reducing its footprint in Saudi Arabia, with other U.S. diplomatic missions in the region also scaling back their personnel. A State Department official confirmed that the situation is directly linked to the Houthi attacks.
In a security alert issued on Wednesday, the State Department warned U.S. citizens about potential attacks on airports and disruptions to travel. This warning follows a series of serious Houthi attacks targeting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, Saudi military installations, energy infrastructure, and maritime traffic. The alert specifies that, due to recent missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports, U.S. government personnel in the country must now obtain special authorization from the Chief of Mission before using any airport.
Forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of Yemen—backed by Saudi Arabia—have expanded their operations against Houthi positions across multiple fronts, with Saudi Arabia providing air cover. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia reported that it had intercepted at least seven drones. One of these drones targeted the Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province, an attack that left two expatriate workers dead and two others injured. Additionally, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that an attack on King Fahd International Airport in the eastern city of Dammam on Wednesday evening left at least one person dead and eight others injured. The airport also sustained significant damage.
The United States is increasing its military support to Saudi Arabia by enhancing assistance in intelligence gathering and target identification. However, Saudi Arabia has been seeking more robust offensive support from the U.S. So far, U.S. President Donald Trump has not made a decision regarding potential strikes against the Houthis. Earlier this month, without committing to any U.S. military action, Trump told reporters that the Houthi attacks were “unacceptable” and that the U.S. would consider joining Saudi Arabia in its response. Meanwhile, as the frequency of attacks on Saudi Arabia has risen, other allies have also stepped up their support. On Tuesday, Britain announced that it would deploy fighter jets to help protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks. Furthermore, Egypt has recently pledged to provide all necessary and potential forms of assistance.
