U.S. Orders Non-Emergency Government Staff and Families to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks

The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and government employees’ family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks, according to a security alert issued by the U.S. Mission on Sunday, October 25. The departure order took effect on October 23.

The alert said Iranian-supported Houthi attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions, warning that hostilities could escalate rapidly.

U.S. government employees require special authorization from the chief of mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent missile and drone attacks.

According to the alert, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport announced a partial reopening on October 25 for domestic flights and some international services operated by national carriers. A limited number of flights normally based in Riyadh are operating from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim.

Airports in Jeddah and Dammam remain operational, with some delays and cancellations.

The mission urged Americans to exercise extreme caution when using Saudi airports and check flight status directly with airlines and airports.