The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid security risks linked to attacks on airports and critical infrastructure. The US Embassy in Riyadh disclosed this in a security alert posted on X on Sunday, October 25, 2026, stating that the US…...
The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid security risks linked to attacks on airports and critical infrastructure.
The US Embassy in Riyadh disclosed this in a security alert posted on X on Sunday, October 25, 2026, stating that the US Department of State issued the order effective October 23.
According to the alert, Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that have resulted in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.
“The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area,” the embassy said.
The mission also warned that US government employees in Saudi Arabia require special authorisation from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in the kingdom following recent missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on airports.
The alert noted that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had announced a partial reopening as of October 25, with domestic flights and some international flights operated by national carriers resuming operations.
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It added that a limited number of flights normally based at the Riyadh airport were operating from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim.
Operations at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam were ongoing, although passengers were experiencing some delays and cancellations.
The US Embassy advised American citizens to remain alert to potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.
“Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia,” the alert stated, urging travellers to check their flight departure status directly with their airlines and the relevant airports.