U.S. Ordering Government Staff to Depart Saudi Arabia as Houthi Concerns Flare

U.S. Orders Embassy Departure

The State Department has ordered non-essential U.S. embassy personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia after an increase in attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Other embassies have shifted to “restricted operations,” CBS News reported, but have not ordered staff departures. Such an order requires designated diplomatic personnel and accompanying relatives to evacuate because of security concerns.

Attacks Hit Airports, Oil Sites

In recent weeks, the Houthis have fired drones and missiles at Saudi airports and oil facilities. A strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport earlier this month killed 12 people and wounded more than 300; one of those killed was an American.

Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said air defenses stopped a drone attack on the Shaybah oil field on Tuesday. The ministry reported that falling debris killed two people and injured two others, but did not identify who launched the drone.

Blame, Warnings and Support

Some Saudi officials have accused Iran of directing Houthi actions. The Houthis are aligned with Iran, but Tehran has denied having a role in the escalation. Yemen’s political adviser to the foreign minister, Ambassador Marwan Ali Noman, warned CBS News on Tuesday that Houthi attacks could continue unless the group was confronted. The United Kingdom has offered Saudi Arabia support, including defensive air operations.

Earlier this month, Mr. Trump said, “We have communication with the Houthis, and we’ll see what happens. But what they did was very bad.”