The US State Department has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, citing safety risks from Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom’s airports and critical infrastructure. The order took effect on October 23, the US Embassy in Riyadh said in a security alert on Sunday.
The embassy warned that hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond the areas directly affected. It 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 attacks on airports, US government employees now require special authorization from the chief of mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia. The embassy advisory urged US citizens to exercise extreme caution when using airports, warning of potential attacks, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.
Impact on airports after Houthi attacks
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 Riyadh 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.
The embassy security alert reiterated that conditions could change quickly and advised affected US government personnel and citizens to follow official guidance and seek updates from the embassy.
