The US State Department has ordered non-essential US government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia due to an escalation in attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis. Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that strikes on civilian targets in the kingdom had resulted in civilian casualties and serious disruption to travel.
Briefly about the main points
- The US directive applies only to Saudi Arabia.
- Non-essential civil servants and their families are to leave.
- The State Department attributed the decision to an increase in Houthi attacks.
- The embassy in Riyadh has warned of the risk of further attacks.
- Reuters reported on possible measures in other Gulf countries.
Possible changes to other missions in the Gulf
Pigott He emphasised that the State Department’s directive currently applies only to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, four US officials told Reuters that US missions in other Gulf states are also to order family members of staff to leave.
The spokesperson did not comment on possible changes to diplomatic missions outside the Kingdom.
Warnings following attacks on airports
According to Pigott, the Iran-backed Houthis are stepping up their military operations against Saudi Arabia. He cited civilian airports and other critical infrastructure as among their targets.
The US Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on Wednesday warning of possible further attacks. It came following a series of deadly strikes, including on Riyadh Airport. According to the UN, the attack on 10 October claimed at least 12 lives and injured more than 300 people.
Washington had previously sent diplomats back to the region
In recent months, Washington has partially reinstated its diplomatic staff in the region following the earlier withdrawal of many personnel. At that time, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against US targets following the outbreak, in late February, of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
