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US State Department says departure orders for embassy staff in Saudi Arabia only

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The US State Department has issued an ordered departure for non-emergency staff and families in Saudi Arabia, responding to tensions with Iran-backed Houthis and increasing hostilities in the region. The priority remains the safety and security of Department personnel and their families.

Key points

  • The US State Department has taken action to protect and support its personnel and familie…: The US State Department has taken action to protect and support its personnel and families in Saudi Arabia.
  • The departure is a response to increased tensions with Iran-backed Houthis and escalating…: The departure is a response to increased tensions with Iran-backed Houthis and escalating hostilities in the region.
  • The priority remains the safety and security of Department personnel and their families.: The priority remains the safety and security of Department personnel and their families.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on Wednesday that the US has "issued an ordered departure for non-emergency US government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only."

In a statement on X, he wrote that the decision resulted from increasing Houthi attacks, including on "civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions".

"The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and support them," he added.

Pigott was responding to earlier reports from Reuters and AFP that indicated embassy personnel would be evacuated from US embassies across the Gulf, calling them "inaccurate".

This is inaccurate. The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only. Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and support them.

— Tommy Pigott (@statedeptspox) October 21, 2026

Original source: www.middleeasteye.net

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