US orders non-essential staff to leave Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 22:57 · Archive
The United States has ordered non-essential embassy personnel to depart Saudi Arabia following increased attacks by Houthi militants.
The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential embassy personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia, citing security concerns from increased Houthi attacks. The decision follows a series of strikes by Iran-backed Houthi militants on Saudi infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities.
Two people were killed in a drone attack targeting Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield. The attacks have intensified in recent weeks, with the Houthis striking Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport earlier this month, killing 12 people and injuring more than 300 others. One American was among those killed. US embassies across the region, including in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have issued warnings urging Americans to exercise caution and prepare for travel disruptions.
CBS News reports that several other embassies in the Gulf have adjusted staffing under 'restricted operations' status, introduced by the State Department in August, which allows embassies to reduce staff and services without fully suspending operations. A Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting multiple Houthi drones on Monday and Tuesday, and Saudi Arabia's energy ministry said air defences blocked an attack on the Shaybah oil field.
How it is being reported
- US orders departure of personnel from Saudi Arabia, citing Houthi threatUS State Department says Iran-aligned Houthis have 'increasingly engaged in hostilities' against Saudi Arabia.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 00:13
- U.S. ordering some staff to depart Saudi Arabia amid Houthi strikesThe State Department has ordered non-essential U.S. embassy personnel and their family members to depart Saudi Arabia, following an uptick in attacks by Houthi militants.CBS News · 21 Oct, 22:39
- US orders some personnel to leave Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacksDecision comes as two people were killed in a drone attack targeting Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfieldFinancial Times · 21 Oct, 21:58
In this story: United States · Saudi Arabia · Houthis · Iran · Saudi Aramco · Riyadh
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