The U.S. State Department on October 21 ordered the evacuation of non-emergency embassy staff and their families from Saudi Arabia, citing escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants on civilian and critical infrastructure. The directive applies only to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement from State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott on X (formerly Twitter).
The move follows near-daily Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, oil facilities, and military sites, including a deadly October 17 attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that killed 12 people, including one American, and injured more than 300 others. On October 23, Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry reported that falling debris from an intercepted drone targeting an oil facility killed two foreign workers (a Filipino and a Nepali) and injured two others near the Shaybah oil field near the UAE border. The ministry did not attribute responsibility for the drone.
Saudi-led coalition intercepts multiple Houthi drones
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reported intercepting six Houthi drones on October 23, part of a broader pattern of attacks that has persisted since the collapse of a four-year truce in June. The coalition has backed Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2015, while the Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, are supported by Iran.
Houthi claims and Iranian threats
On October 23, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that his forces had successfully struck a Saudi operations room at Badr Camp in Aden with a ballistic missile, calling the attack a "direct hit." Aden serves as the de facto seat of Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. The Houthis have conducted three such attacks in Aden in the past week, according to local officials.
Separately, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official, Brig. Gen. Yadollah Javani, warned that Iran could target undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure is attacked. He stated that Iran would use "all its capabilities" to retaliate, including against "investments and assets" such as internet cables carrying data through the strategic waterway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also confirmed that indirect U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks were ongoing, though no further details were provided.
U.S. embassy adjustments in Gulf states
While the State Department’s evacuation order applies only to Saudi Arabia, CBS News reported that several other U.S. embassies in the Gulf—including those in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan—have shifted to "restricted operations" status. This status allows embassies to reduce staffing and services without a full evacuation, a measure introduced in August amid regional tensions. Embassies in these countries have also issued travel warnings for Americans, urging caution and preparation for disruptions.
State Department cites security risks as primary concern
Pigott emphasized that the evacuation was driven by "the safety and security of Department personnel and their families", adding that the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh expects hostilities to escalate rapidly. The decision follows Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions across the region.
Background: Yemen conflict and regional tensions
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014, has drawn in regional powers, with Saudi Arabia and its allies supporting the internationally recognized government and Iran backing the Houthis. The 2022 truce, which had largely held for two years, collapsed in June, reigniting hostilities. The Houthis have since expanded their attacks beyond Yemen, targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states with drones and missiles.
The U.S. has previously ordered non-essential staff to leave the Gulf ahead of escalations in tensions with Iran, including before the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
Ongoing developments
U.S. and Saudi officials have not indicated whether the evacuation is temporary or part of a broader shift in regional policy. The Houthi attacks and Iranian threats continue to shape the security landscape, with analysts warning of potential further escalation in the coming weeks.