US Orders Non-Emergency Government Staff and Families to Leave Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, October 25 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - The U.S. State Department has ordered non-emergency government employees and family members of U.S. government employees to leave Saudi Arabia because of safety risks, the U.S. Mission said in a security alert published on Sunday.
The departure order took effect on October 23, according to the October 25 alert.
The mission cited Houthi attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that had caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. It warned that hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond the immediate conflict area.
The alert also reported a partial reopening of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh from October 25 for domestic flights and some international services operated by Saudi carriers.
A limited number of flights normally operating from Riyadh are using Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam remain operational, with some delays and cancellations.
U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia continue to require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in the Kingdom following recent missile and drone attacks.
The mission urged U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution when using Saudi airports and check departure information directly with their airline and airport, citing potential attacks, airspace closures and further travel disruptions.
Source: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia.
