The US State Department has ordered the departure of some diplomats and their families from Saudi Arabia amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, which have resulted in three fatalities across the country.
Recent Attacks
Earlier this month, the Houthis targeted the airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities reported that debris from a drone intercepted during an attempted attack on an oil field killed two individuals. Additionally, one person died following a strike at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has intensified over the past month, with the Houthis retaliating against Saudi airstrikes by launching missiles and drones at airports, energy facilities, and military bases within Saudi territory. A recent strike on Riyadh's international airport marked one of the deadliest attacks in the kingdom in years.
US Response
A spokesperson for the State Department stated, "The US Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency US government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia." The spokesperson emphasized that the Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, targeting civilian airports and critical infrastructure, leading to civilian casualties and significant travel disruptions. They also cautioned that "the hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly."
