United States orders non-emergency staff and families to leave its missions in Saudi Arabia

22 October 2026

The United States Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency government employees and their family members from its mission in Saudi Arabia on October 21, 2026, as attacks by the Houthi movement on the kingdom increased. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Houthis had increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. He said the safety and security of department personnel and their families remained the highest priority. Pigott said an earlier media report that the United States planned departures from embassies across the Gulf was inaccurate. The United States had previously ordered non-essential staff to leave the Gulf before the start of its war against Iran in late February.