Some US diplomats told to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
The US state department has ordered some diplomats and families of government employees to leave Saudi Arabia amid near-daily attacks by Iranian-supported Houthis.
The evacuation order affects the US embassy in Riyadh and its satellite consulates, which had been operating with reduced staffing since being damaged at the start of the US war on Iran. At least three people were killed in Wednesday's attacks on an airport and oilfield.
Reason for evacuation
State department spokesperson Tommy Pigott cited attacks on "civilian airports and other critical infrastructure" by the Iranian-supported Houthis in Yemen as the reason for the drawdown.
The safety and security of department personnel and their families remain our highest priority.
Recent attacks
Saudi Arabia has faced a succession of deadly attacks from the Houthis over recent weeks. On Wednesday, one Saudi resident was killed in attacks on King Fahad international airport in Dammam, with eight others injured and flights diverted.
Separately, falling debris from the interception of a drone targeting an oil facility in the country's south-east killed two people and injured two more, according to the Saudi energy ministry.
Regional tensions
Reports suggest broader withdrawals, with media noting families of US embassy personnel were also being pulled from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. However, Pigott described these reports as "inaccurate".
The withdrawals come amid reports that Trump has been presented with plans for restarting strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, following a visit by Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth to Israel.
Related
