US orders staff to leave Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate

The U.S. Department of State has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to depart Saudi Arabia immediately. The directive, confirmed by spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Wednesday, applies exclusively to the kingdom and does not extend to other Gulf states. This evacuation order coincides with a sharp escalation in Houthi missile and drone strikes that have killed civilians and disrupted regional air travel. President Donald Trump is currently evaluating direct military strikes against the Iran-backed group, which has expanded its campaign against Saudi cities and critical infrastructure.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, Houthi strikes and attempted strikes on Saudi Arabia more than doubled in a single week this month. Targets since October 5 have included airports in Riyadh, Jizan, Najran, Dammam, and Abha. The deadliest attack struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing at least 13 people and wounding more than 300. Pigott noted that the Houthis have engaged in hostilities against civilian airports and critical infrastructure, resulting in severe travel disruptions.

In response to the escalating threat, Saudi Arabia has sought additional military support from international allies. Britain announced on Tuesday that it will deploy Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi cities and critical infrastructure. Egypt is also assisting the kingdom, and Israel has offered its own support. Riyadh has specifically requested additional missile interceptors from Washington. However, U.S. officials have warned that global demand is straining available supplies.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the shortage on Tuesday, stating that Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States all require interceptors. He described the weapons as probably the most in-demand product in the defense field, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing ally requests with U.S. military requirements. The situation highlights the challenge of defending Saudi Arabia’s vast territory against relatively inexpensive missiles and drones.

Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House, told Fox News Digital that the scenario demonstrates how a small nonstate actor can pose a serious challenge to sophisticated militaries. He noted that the Houthis can impose enormous costs without spending much themselves. Trump has left open the possibility of direct intervention, telling reporters earlier this month that the U.S. could join Saudi strikes against the group. He stated that the administration would make a decision quickly after reviewing the situation.

Earlier this year, American forces carried out a bombing campaign against Houthi positions in Yemen for approximately two months. Trump stopped the operation after an agreement brokered by Oman was reached. The United States continues to provide intelligence and targeting support to Saudi Arabia while weighing whether to launch another round of strikes.