US issues security alert, orders non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

The US State Department has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia over safety risks, as Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom’s airports and critical infrastructure raise concerns about further escalation and travel disruptions.

The order took effect on October 23, the US Embassy in Riyadh said in a security alert on Sunday.

It warned that hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond the areas directly affected.


The embassy said the Houthis had carried out attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, causing civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.

Following recent missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on airports in the kingdom, US government employees now require special authorisation from the chief of mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia.

The advisory urged US citizens to exercise extreme caution when using airports, warning of potential attacks, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh partially reopened on October 25, allowing domestic flights and some international services operated by Saudi national carriers.

A limited number of flights normally based at the Riyadh airport were operating from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim, the embassy said.

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam remained operational, although both were experiencing some delays and cancellations.