US orders diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks intensify
Washington cited escalating Houthi strikes on Saudi airports and energy sites as the reason for the partial evacuation.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The U.S. State Department ordered non‑essential diplomats and their families to leave Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, citing a surge in deadly attacks by Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels.
What happened
According to the State Department, the order applies to staff at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and its satellite consulates. The embassy, which had been operating with a skeleton crew after damage at the start of the Iran‑Saudi conflict, saw a limited number of Saudi airlines resume flights at King Khalid International Airport on Wednesday, despite the airport being closed since Oct. 10 following a severe Houthi strike.
What the reports add
Independent.co.uk reported that the travel alert warned of “hostilities that have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area” and noted that U.S. personnel now need special permission to use any Saudi airport. CBS News added that the Houthi attacks in recent weeks have killed at least 20 people, including a strike on Oct. 10 that killed 13 at King Khalid Airport, and that Saudi officials said five missiles were intercepted on Wednesday.
What was said
The State Department’s travel alert stated, “Iranian‑supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.” (Independent)
How it came about
Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports have escalated since early October, killing foreign nationals on Oct. 7 (Felo), prompting a Saudi foreign‑ministry advisory on Oct. 11 (Felo), and leading to a suspension of flights at King Khalid Airport on Oct. 12 (Felo). Subsequent reports highlighted failures in U.S.‑supplied air‑defence systems (Felo) and injuries from missile debris on Oct. 14 (Felo). The latest U.S. evacuation order follows this pattern of escalating attacks and growing concerns about staff safety.
Key facts
- The U.S. State Department ordered non‑essential diplomats and families to leave Saudi Arabia. (independent.co.uk)
- Houthi attacks have killed at least 20 people in recent weeks. (cbsnews.com)
- King Khalid International Airport has been closed since Oct. 10 after a severe attack. (independent.co.uk)
- Saudi officials said five Houthi missiles were intercepted on Wednesday. (cbsnews.com)
- U.S. personnel now need special permission to use any Saudi airport. (independent.co.uk)
Where accounts differ
- Number of casualties reported: The alert mentions civilian casualties but gives no specific figure. (independent.co.uk); At least 20 people have been killed in recent Houthi attacks. (cbsnews.com)
Timeline
- 2026-10-07 — Three foreign nationals killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports
- 2026-10-10 — Deadly Houthi strike kills 13 at King Khalid Airport
- 2026-10-11 — Saudi Foreign Ministry urges stranded citizens to seek embassy help
- 2026-10-12 — Saudi Arabia extends Riyadh airport shutdown after new strike
- 2026-10-13 — Report on failures of U.S.‑supplied arsenal to stop Houthi attacks
- 2026-10-14 — Houthi missile debris wounds four in Riyadh
- 2026-10-21 — U.S. orders diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk
- [2] cbsnews.com
