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

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