U.S. Embassy urges caution in Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes
The State Department ordered non-emergency staff out of the kingdom on October 23, citing missile and drone attacks on airports.
By Peter Graham ·
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a new security alert on November 3, 2026, warning American citizens of escalating threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The post, published on X, details ongoing hostilities against Saudi infrastructure.
The embassy stated that Iranian-supported Houthis have targeted civilian airports and critical infrastructure. These strikes have caused civilian casualties and severe disruptions to travel. The warning notes that the fighting has the potential to spread rapidly beyond the immediate impact zones.
As a safety measure, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia on October 23, 2026. The embassy instructed that remaining government staff require special authorization from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in the kingdom.
Citizens were advised to exercise extreme caution when using Saudi airports. The alert lists potential attacks, airspace closures, and flight cancellations as key risks. Travelers are recommended to verify departure status directly with their airline and the specific airport before heading out.
The embassy highlighted that recent missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on airports necessitated these stricter protocols. The November 3 communication served to reiterate the dangers faced by those remaining in the country.
