US State Department pulls staff from Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate

The US State Department ordered the partial departure of diplomatic staff and their families from Saudi Arabia due to increased security risks from ongoing Houthi attacks. The decision follows deadly strikes on airports and critical infrastructure, including an attack on Riyadh's main airport that killed at least 13 people, including one American citizen. The US embassy warned of potential further attacks, with State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott citing civilian casualties and travel disruptions as key concerns. The escalation is linked to the collapse of a 2022 ceasefire in Yemen, with Iran-backed Houthis seizing strategic Red Sea coastal areas in September. Saudi Arabia launched a military operation in October to reclaim these territories, but the US has not yet provided military assistance despite Riyadh's requests.