US State Department orders nonessential staff to leave Saudi Arabia
The directive follows Houthi missile and drone attacks on civilian airports, which have caused flight cancellations and airspace closures across the kingdom.
By Nicholas Campbell ·
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on October 27, 2026, directing all nonemergency government employees and their family members to depart Saudi Arabia. The notice cites safety risks resulting from hostilities involving Iranian-supported Houthis. These groups have targeted civilian airports and other critical infrastructure in the region.
The State Department made the order effective on October 23, 2026. According to the embassy, the hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area of the attacks. U.S. government employees who remain in the country now require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport. This new rule follows recent missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on airports within the kingdom.
Air travel disruptions have become widespread since the attacks began. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh announced a partial reopening on October 23, 2026. The airport currently handles domestic flights and some international flights operated by national carriers. A limited number of flights normally based in Riyadh are operating out of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim.
Operations at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah remain active but are experiencing delays and cancellations. King Fahd International Airport in Dammam is also operational, though it faces similar service interruptions. The embassy advises U.S. citizens to be aware of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, and flight cancellations.
The security alert recommends that travelers take extreme caution if they choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia. The embassy suggests checking flight departure status directly with the airline and the airport before traveling. The directive applies to all nonemergency U.S. government employees and their dependents.
The embassy posted the details on X, confirming the order to leave. It noted that the attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The notice serves as a formal instruction for staff to reduce their presence in the country until the security situation improves.
Source: Middle East Eye
