US orders departure of personnel from Saudi Arabia, citing Houthi threat

The United States Department of State has ordered the departure of nonemergency government employees and their family ⁠members from its mission in Saudi Arabia as attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement on the kingdom have ramped up. “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,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a social media post on Wednesday. “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,” he added.