Following escalating Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure and airports in Saudi Arabia, the United States State Department ordered non-emergency embassy personnel and their families to leave Riyadh. Regional air hubs and critical energy facilities face disruptions amid heightened security alerts across the Middle East.
US State Department Orders Departure From Riyadh
The United States government ordered the departure of non-essential personnel and family members from its diplomatic mission in Riyadh. Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the directive on the platform X, emphasizing that the mandatory departure applies strictly to the embassy in Saudi Arabia and does not extend to other regional postings, countering earlier reports of a broader Gulf evacuation.
Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 18, 2026)Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment. Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.Check your… pic.twitter.com/EHotNihB8u
The security shift follows a wave of cross-border strikes that have disrupted regional transit.
“The Iran-backed Houthis have intensified their hostile acts against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including launching attacks on civilian airports and other vital infrastructure, which has resulted in civilian casualties and caused significant disruptions to travel,” Tommy Pigott said according to CNN Arabic.
Houthi Drone and Missile Attacks Target Saudi Infrastructure
Air operations across the country have faced severe disruptions. Operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remain entirely suspended following repeated strikes, including an October 10 attack that officials noted resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries, while King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam continue to experience cancellations and delays.
The Saudi Ministry of Energy reported that interceptor debris struck the Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province, resulting in the deaths of two workers—citizens of the Philippines and Nepal—and injuring two others of Pakistani and Indian nationalities. In contrast, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree asserted via Telegram that his forces executed no military operations toward the Saudi interior on that day and dismissed reported drone interceptions over Medina as false claims.
US Embassies Warn Citizens Across the Middle East
US diplomatic posts across 12 Middle Eastern nations, including Gulf Arab states, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Yemen, and Iran, warned citizens to maintain heightened vigilance due to a complex security environment carrying risks of sudden airspace closures, flight cancellations, and rapid conflict escalation beyond the immediate region.
For travelers taking domestic transit inside Saudi Arabia, authorities note that ground transport alternatives remain available. International airports in neighboring states such as Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates also maintain normal operations.
Officials noted that several foreign nationals, including American citizens, have already been detained for capturing restricted government facilities, airports, and impact zones.
