US orders departure of some embassy staff and families from Saudi Arabia amid Houthi threat

The US State Department ordered the departure of non-essential staff and family members at its embassy in Riyadh, a move that comes amid intensifying strikes on Saudi Arabia by the Iran allied Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote on X . “Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.”

While the State Department is drawing down its footprint in Saudi Arabia amid escalating risks, a few other US diplomatic posts in the region are also adjusting their staffing in response to the Houthi threat, a source told CNN.

“This is about the Houthis,” said a State Department official.

The State Department also warned in a security alert on Wednesday that US citizens should be aware of potential attacks on airports and general travel disruptions. That message for Americans came after a series of deadly Houthi attacks in recent weeks have targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi military facilities, oil infrastructure and maritime traffic.

“U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent missile and UAV attacks on airports in the Kingdom,” the alert said .

Saudi-backed forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government have expanded operations against Houthi positions across multiple frontlines, while Saudi air power continues to provide military cover.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted at least seven drones, including one targeting the Shaybah oil field in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, in an attack that killed two expatriate workers and injured two others.

The US has stepped up its support for the kingdom militarily by boosting intelligence and targeting support . But Saudi Arabia has been asking the US for more offensive support, and so far, President Donald Trump has decided against striking the Houthis.

As Saudi Arabia finds itself increasingly under attack, other allies have also stepped up support. On Tuesday, the UK said it will deploy fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. Egypt also pledged “all necessary and possible forms of support” in recent days.

CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed reporting.

美国国务院下令其驻利雅得大使馆非必要工作人员及其家属撤离。此前，伊朗支持的也门胡塞武装对沙特阿拉伯的袭击日益加剧。

美国国务院发言人汤米·皮戈特在X网站上写道：“美国国务院已下令沙特阿拉伯境内非紧急美国政府雇员及其家属撤离。伊朗支持的胡塞武装越来越多地参与针对沙特阿拉伯的敌对行动，包括袭击民用机场和其他关键基础设施，造成平民伤亡和严重的交通中断。”

一位消息人士告诉 CNN，虽然随着风险升级，美国国务院正在缩减在沙特阿拉伯的驻军规模，但该地区的其他一些美国外交机构也在调整人员配备，以应对胡塞武装的威胁。

“这与胡塞武装有关，”一位国务院官员说。

美国国务院周三发布安全警报，警告美国公民应警惕机场可能遭受袭击以及旅行可能受到干扰。此前几周，胡塞武装发动了一系列致命袭击，目标包括利雅得的哈立德国王国际机场、沙特军事设施、石油基础设施和海上交通。

“鉴于沙特阿拉伯王国近期发生的导弹和无人机袭击事件，在沙特阿拉伯工作的美国政府雇员需要获得使团团长的特别授权才能使用沙特阿拉伯的任何机场。”警报称。

与也门国际公认政府结盟的沙特支持的部队扩大了对胡塞武装在多条战线上的行动，而沙特空军继续提供军事掩护。

周三，沙特阿拉伯表示，他们拦截了至少七架无人机，其中一架的目标是沙特东部省份的沙伊巴油田，袭击造成两名外籍工人死亡，另有两人受伤。

美国已加大对沙特阿拉伯的军事支持力度，包括加强情报和目标打击支持。但沙特阿拉伯一直要求美国提供更多进攻性支持，而迄今为止，唐纳德·特朗普总统仍决定不对胡塞武装发动打击。

随着沙特阿拉伯遭受的攻击日益增多，其他盟友也加大了支持力度。周二，英国表示将部署战斗机保卫沙特阿拉伯免受胡塞武装的袭击。埃及近日也承诺提供“一切必要和可能的援助”。

CNN记者穆罕默德·陶菲克对此报道亦有贡献。