The United States has ordered the withdrawal of American embassy staff and their families from Saudi Arabia, according to diplomatic sources cited by AFP. The same sources indicate that families of embassy personnel will also be evacuated from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that the US State Department, amid fears of Houthi attacks, is preparing to issue a formal order for the withdrawal of embassy staff and their families from the entire Gulf region.
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This move, the Arab broadcaster continues, is driven by the likelihood of renewed hostilities in the region — particularly with the Houthi group in Yemen — according to Reuters, citing anonymous American officials.
#BREAKING US embassy staff and families ordered to leave Saudi Arabia, with families of embassy staff in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain also ordered to leave, diplomatic source tells AFP pic.twitter.com/eOay1MHj8l
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 21, 2026
On Wednesday, the American embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert warning of possible further Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, following a series of recent deadly strikes — including one targeting Riyadh’s international airport.
Two of the American officials further stated that the evacuation order may extend to all staff and their families at the US embassy in Saudi Arabia.
