The United States government has issued an order to recall some diplomats and their family members from their missions in Saudi Arabia. This decision was made due to the increasing attacks by the Houthi group from Yemen, which is linked to Iran, on civilian targets in the country.
Details of the Diplomat Withdrawal
Tom Pigott, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, announced that this order only applies to "non-emergency personnel of the United States government and their families in Saudi Arabia." This action comes as the Houthis have recently carried out attacks on airports and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.
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Houthi Attacks and Their Consequences
Pigott noted that the Houthis are increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, highlighting that these attacks have included targeting civilian airports and other key infrastructure, leading to human casualties and travel disruptions. Following these attacks, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh also issued a security alert, indicating the possibility of further attacks by the Houthis.
Reports suggest that other U.S. missions in Gulf countries are also planning to withdraw the families of diplomats. However, Pigott did not mention any changes in missions outside of Saudi Arabia.
This decision follows the return of some U.S. diplomatic staff to the region in recent months, many of whom were relocated abroad after Iran's retaliatory attacks on U.S. facilities following the onset of the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran in late February.
As tensions in the region escalate, this action by the United States reflects serious concerns about the security situation in Saudi Arabia and the potential risks to its diplomatic personnel.
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