The U.S. State Department has announced the removal of diplomats and their family members from Saudi Arabia, citing escalating security risks. This notification was published on the department’s official website on October 30.
“Effective October 23, 2026, the State Department ordered U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to security threats… The Houthis are fighting against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure facilities, which leads to civilian casualties and serious disruptions in transport services,” the department stated.
The State Department emphasized that diplomats must now obtain special permission from their mission’s head in order to use any airport in Saudi Arabia—a requirement resulting from recent missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom’s airports.
U.S. citizens are urged to prepare for potential risks including airport attacks, airspace closures, flight cancellations, and severe transport disruptions if they plan travel within Saudi Arabian airspace. The agency also warned American citizens should exercise extreme caution when using airports in the country.
