US evacuates diplomatic staff from Gulf embassies after Houthi attacks

The United States has ordered the departure of non-essential employees and their families from its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, citing persistent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. This precautionary measure extends to American diplomatic families in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain. The Houthis have launched near-daily attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including airports and oil fields. A strike on Dammam airport killed one person and wounded eight, while other attacks targeted Medina and the Chaybah oil field, killing two. The Houthis deny responsibility for these specific strikes. The decision comes amid stalled US-Iran diplomacy and reported explosions in Iran's Hormozgan province near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia supports Yemen's government against the Houthis, whose attacks have reached unprecedented intensity in recent weeks.