The US State Department ordered some diplomats and families of government employees to leave Saudi Arabia following Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure in the kingdom. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott cited "safety and security" concerns as the reason for the partial drawdown.
The decision came after at least three people were killed in attacks on an airport and oilfield in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening. The Houthis, an Iranian-supported militant group based in Yemen, have conducted near-daily strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in the gulf kingdom.
Reports indicate similar diplomatic withdrawals are occurring across the region. The Guardian cited reports of comparable moves in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain, though those details remain unconfirmed by the outlets named.
The drawdowns reflect US concerns about escalating regional tensions. The Guardian's reporting linked the withdrawal pattern to "concerns about a return to conflict with Iran after US midterm elections," though the State Department's official statement attributed the action solely to immediate safety threats from Houthi strikes.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabian facilities over recent months. The group has targeted both civilian and energy infrastructure, signaling a shift toward broader destabilization of the gulf region. Saudi Arabia hosts critical US military and diplomatic infrastructure, making personnel safety a significant operational concern.
The scale of the order remains unclear. The State Department did not specify how many diplomats or family members were directed to depart or whether the drawdown would be temporary or extended. Pigott's statement emphasized that the decision reflected routine security protocols rather than a broader policy shift.