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U.S. orders non-emergency staff to leave Saudi Arabia amid security risks
The U.S. Department of State has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to depart Saudi Arabia, effective October 23, due to heightened security risks. The decision follows a series of missile and drone attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces targeting civilian airports and critical infrastructure within the Kingdom.
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a follow-up security alert on October 25, warning of potential airspace closures, flight cancellations, and rapid escalation of hostilities. As a precaution, U.S. government employees remaining in the country must now obtain special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia.
While King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has partially resumed domestic and some international operations, other major hubs like Jeddah and Dammam continue to report delays and cancellations. In response to the regional instability, Indonesian officials have advised Umrah pilgrims to prioritize direct flights to Jeddah or Madinah to avoid transit through potentially volatile areas.
Entities
Houthi · Houthi movement · Houthis · Iran · King Khalid International Airport · Marco Rubio · Saudi Arabia · U.S. Department of State · U.S. Embassy Riyadh · U.S. Embassy in Riyadh · United States Department of State · WWE
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Some families of U.S. embassy staff are also being withdrawn from the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain. almanartv.com.lb · www.perfil.com
- [● 17 SOURCES] The evacuation is due to security risks from Houthi attacks on civilian airports and infrastructure. alkuwaitnews.net · almanartv.com.lb · le1.ma · www.postwrestling.com · almanar.com.lb · +12 more
- [DISPUTED] King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has partially resumed operations for domestic and some international flights. alkuwaitnews.net · almanartv.com.lb · www.postwrestling.com · almanar.com.lb · rajah.com · +4 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] U.S. government employees in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport. alkuwaitnews.net · almanartv.com.lb · www.postwrestling.com · almanar.com.lb · rajah.com · +5 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The U.S. Department of State ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. alkuwaitnews.net · almanartv.com.lb · le1.ma · www.postwrestling.com · almanar.com.lb · +12 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Intelligence reports suggest Iranian plans to target Americans have reached advanced stages. www.postwrestling.com · www.perfil.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] Airports in Jeddah and Dammam are operating with delays and cancellations. alkuwaitnews.net · almanartv.com.lb · www.postwrestling.com · almanar.com.lb · rajah.com · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The departure order became effective on October 23. almanartv.com.lb · le1.ma · www.postwrestling.com · almanar.com.lb · rajah.com · +6 more