State Department orders US embassy staff to vacate Saudi Arabia with family members

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The State Department on Wednesday ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia to vacate the area as hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continue to escalate.

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia said the Houthis have launched attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.

The department recommended Americans consider leaving the country through private cars, trains or buses to avoid potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other 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,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a post on X.

The department noted that air travel from nearby countries is still an option, stating that international airports in nearby countries of Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates remain operational.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.