US Orders Non-Emergency Staff and Families Out of Saudi Arabia Over Houthi Threat

The US Embassy in Riyadh told non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia effective October 23, citing safety risks tied to Houthi attacks on airports and other infrastructure. The embassy published the security alert on X on October 28.

The State Department said Iranian-supported Houthis have conducted hostilities against Saudi Arabia, striking civilian airports and critical facilities. The embassy said those attacks caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions, and it warned the hostilities could escalate quickly beyond that area.

US government employees now need special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia. That requirement follows recent missile and UAV attacks on airports across the Kingdom.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh partially reopened October 23 for domestic flights and some international flights run by national carriers. Some flights normally based at King Khalid moved to Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam remained operational with delays and cancellations.

The embassy told US citizens to weigh potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations and travel disruptions before choosing to use Saudi airports. It asked travelers to exercise extreme caution, and to confirm departure status directly with their airline and airport.

The alert followed the October 23 departure order for non-emergency staff. The State Department issued the security notice for the US Mission in Saudi Arabia on October 28.