US orders non-emergency staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia
In short
The US State Department said on 21 October it has ordered non-emergency US government employees in Saudi Arabia and their family members to leave. Spokesman Pigott (皮戈特) said the decision is to protect staff and families, citing more frequent hostile actions by Yemen's Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia.
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The US State Department confirmed on 21 October, local time, that it has ordered non-emergency US government employees in Saudi Arabia and their family members to leave the country, CLS and Yicai reported. Yicai attributed its account to CCTV News. [ 1 , 3 ]
Xinhua reported from Washington that State Department spokesman Pigott (皮戈特) announced the order in a social media post. He said the decision was made to protect the safety of State Department personnel and their families. [ 2 , 3 ]
Pigott said hostile actions by Yemen's Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia have become more frequent. He listed attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, which he said caused civilian casualties and severely disrupted travel. [ 2 , 3 ]
Xinhua and Yicai added that in recent days the Houthis have repeatedly used missiles and drones against targets in Saudi Arabia, including international airports and oil facilities. They said a Saudi-led multinational coalition has launched heavy air strikes on Houthi targets, supporting Yemeni government forces in ground fighting with the Houthis. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The order reflects the State Department's assessment of the security situation in Saudi Arabia. The documents do not say how many people are affected or how long the order will last.
Key facts
- The US State Department confirmed on 21 October, local time, that it ordered non-emergency US government employees in Saudi Arabia and their family members to leave. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Spokesman Pigott (皮戈特) said on social media that the decision was made to protect the safety of State Department staff and their families. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Pigott said hostile actions by Yemen's Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia have become more frequent, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Pigott said the attacks caused civilian casualties and severely disrupted travel. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Xinhua and Yicai said the Houthis have recently used missiles and drones against international airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Xinhua and Yicai said a Saudi-led multinational coalition has carried out heavy air strikes on Houthi targets, supporting Yemeni government forces in ground fighting against the Houthis. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The State Department ordered non-emergency US government employees in Saudi Arabia and their families to leave. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The State Department spokesman gave the safety of staff and families as the reason and pointed to more frequent Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How many employees and family members are affected and by when they must leave. None of the documents gives numbers or a departure deadline.
- The scale of civilian casualties and travel disruption from the Houthi attacks. Pigott mentioned casualties and severe disruption but the documents give no figures.