The United States is considering ordering some diplomatic personnel and their families to leave missions in the Gulf region amid growing security concerns over possible renewed attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen.
According to Reuters, three US officials disclosed the preparations on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, with two of them indicating that the proposed measure could cover all personnel and their families at the US Mission to Saudi Arabia.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the move was being considered against the backdrop of rising fears of further Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and other parts of the region.
The US Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning of the possibility of additional attacks by the Yemeni armed group.
The warning followed recent deadly strikes, including attacks on Riyadh's airport, which have intensified concerns over the safety of diplomatic personnel and other residents in Saudi Arabia.
However, the precise scope of the proposed departures and the diplomatic missions that could be affected had yet to be fully established.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned armed movement that controls large parts of Yemen, have been involved in regional hostilities connected to the broader confrontation between Iran and its adversaries.
Their attacks and threats have heightened security concerns across the Middle East, particularly in countries regarded as potential targets of retaliatory operations.
An ordered departure is a US government security measure directing designated embassy personnel and, where applicable, their dependants to leave a location because of security risks. It is distinct from a voluntary departure, under which eligible personnel or family members may choose to leave.
The proposed evacuation underscores Washington's concerns about the possibility of renewed hostilities and the potential risks to American diplomatic facilities and personnel in the Gulf.
It remained unclear when a final decision would be announced or whether the planned departures would extend beyond Saudi Arabia to other US diplomatic missions in the region.
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