US orders embassy staff families out of Riyadh after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The United States ordered the departure of non-essential employees and their families from its embassy in Riyadh on Wednesday, October 21, following intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The State Department cited the safety of its personnel as the top priority. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have escalated hostilities against the kingdom, targeting oil and airport infrastructure. An attack on Dammam airport killed one person and injured eight, while Saudi forces intercepted six drones, including one near Medina. A diplomatic source said families from US embassies in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain are also being withdrawn. The Houthis denied launching operations Wednesday, while explosions were reported in Iran's Hormozgan province.