US orders personnel in Saudi Arabia to leave after Houthi attacks
Washington calls attacks on airports and critical infrastructure a rapidly escalating risk.
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The United States has ordered non-essential personnel and family members to leave Saudi Arabia. Washington points to attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on airports and other critical infrastructure.
The US State Department on Wednesday ordered the departure of non-essential personnel from the embassy in Riyadh and US consulates in Saudi Arabia. Family members of staff are also covered by the measure, the Associated Press reported.
According to a new US travel advisory, the Houthis have carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent months. Civilian airports and other vital facilities were reportedly targeted. Washington warns that hostilities could quickly escalate beyond the current area.
The Houthis’ explanation for the reason behind the attacks on Saudi Arabia has not been independently confirmed. The movement says Saudi Arabia has transported military support to government forces via Riyadh airport. The AP writes that the Houthis have provided no evidence to support that claim.
The measure comes as air traffic around Riyadh is being disrupted. According to the AP, King Khalid International Airport had been closed since 10 October following an attack; on Wednesday, several Saudi airlines were able to use the airport again under certain conditions. Major European airlines had cancelled flights to Riyadh until mid-November, according to the AP.
The British government also warned about the security situation on Wednesday. The UK travel advice advises against all travel within ten kilometres of the border with Yemen and all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia. It names airports, ports, energy infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea as potential targets.
The US embassy will continue to operate with limited staffing, according to reports. The departure order does not in itself mean that Washington is suspending all diplomatic activities. Disruptions to international flights and the threat to energy infrastructure could also affect the Netherlands, as well as staff and companies in the Gulf region. It is not known whether Dutch diplomatic missions have taken the same step.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The United States has ordered non-essential embassy personnel and family members to leave Saudi Arabia.
- The US government warns of further attacks and possible escalation.
- The British travel advice has been tightened because of attacks and disruption around airports and other infrastructure.
- The consequences for the Dutch diplomatic presence are not described in the sources used.
Left
Arguments The departure of personnel is understandable as a way of protecting civilians, but it should be accompanied by diplomatic efforts to contain the regional war. The US should be cautious about military support that could further fuel the confrontation with the Houthis.
Values Protection of civilians, international law, de-escalation and limiting military escalation.
Consequences A purely security-based response could deepen tensions and affect residents of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the wider region. Diplomatic channels and humanitarian access would therefore become more important.
Centre
Arguments The measure is temporary risk management and in itself says nothing about a definitive US policy. A diplomatic presence can continue on a limited basis as long as the risks remain manageable, with adjustments as the security situation changes.
Values Proportionality, institutional continuity, security and predictability for civilians and businesses.
Consequences Fewer personnel may make consular services and diplomatic communication more difficult, but at the same time limit exposure to attacks. Travel and transport problems may persist temporarily.
Right
Arguments The US must protect its personnel and respond clearly to attacks on allies and vital infrastructure. A firm security response may, in this view, be necessary to keep deterrence credible.
Values National security, deterrence, protection of allies and freedom of navigation and energy supply.
Consequences A withdrawal without further response could be seen as weakness and invite new attacks. A tougher response, however, increases the risk of regional escalation and disruption to energy and trade routes.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is confirmed by the AP and the official travel advice of the United States and the United Kingdom. Unconfirmed statements by the Houthis are clearly attributed to them and are not presented as established fact.
- confirmed The United States has ordered non-essential personnel from the embassy in Riyadh and US consulates to leave Saudi Arabia. — Reported by the Associated Press on 21 October 2026. source
- confirmed The US warning refers to attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on civilian airports and critical infrastructure. — Quotation and summary of the US travel advisory in the AP report. source
- confirmed King Khalid International Airport had been closed since 10 October following an attack and was partially reopened on Wednesday. — The AP describes the closure and limited resumption of flights. source
- confirmed The United Kingdom advises against all travel within ten kilometres of the Yemeni border and all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia. — Official British travel advice, updated on 21 October 2026. source
- confirmed The British government names airports, ports, energy infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea as potential targets. — Included in GOV.UK’s regional security advice. source
- confirmed The Houthis say that Saudi Arabia has channelled military support to government forces via Riyadh airport. — The AP reports that the Houthis made this claim, but without evidence; the article presents it as unconfirmed. source
- uncertain There is no indication that Dutch diplomatic missions have taken the same measure. — Not investigated in a Dutch government source; this is therefore cautiously worded in the text. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the US is withdrawing non-essential embassy personnel from Saudi Arabia and that the British government has tightened its travel advice. The precise scale and timing of the Houthi attacks have not been fully independently established in the sources used; claims by the Houthis have been presented as unconfirmed.Sources
- US orders some diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia during Houthi fight — Associated Press
- Saudi Arabia travel advice — GOV.UK
- Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory — U.S. Department of State
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „saudi-arabië verenigde staten”
- RTL Nieuws — „saudi-arabië verenigde staten”
- NOS — „saudi-arabië verenigde staten”