U.S. Orders Non-Essential Staff to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks

Attacks on airports and critical services in Saudi Arabia have prompted Washington to pull some of its personnel out of the country. Flights are being canceled and travel restrictions are in place.

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert describing a situation of hostilities in the country. According to the statement, the Houthis, a group backed by Iran, have attacked civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and serious disruptions to travel.

Effective October 23, 2026, the State Department ordered non-essential U.S. government employees, along with their families, to leave Saudi Arabia due to security risks. Government employees who remain need special authorization from the chief of mission to use any Saudi airport, and they may not travel within 20 miles (about 32 kilometers) of the border with Yemen.

As for airports, King Khalid Airport in Riyadh has partially reopened for domestic flights and some international flights operated by national carriers, while several flights have been moved to Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim. The airports in Jeddah and Dhahran remain open, with delays and cancellations. The alert recommends confirming the status of each flight directly with the airline and the airport, and considers ground alternatives such as trains and buses.

Land borders, including the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, remain open, and roads in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran are operating normally. Saudi authorities warn that filming or sharing information about missiles, drones, and their impacts may carry legal liability; U.S. citizens have been detained for photographing government buildings, airports, or affected areas. The consulate offers emergency services to U.S. citizens.