The US State Department has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave its mission in Saudi Arabia, after Iran-backed Houthi forces escalated attacks on the kingdom.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on social media on Wednesday that the Iran-backed Houthis were "increasingly engaging in hostile acts against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, causing civilian casualties and severe disruption to travel".
"The safety and security of State Department personnel and their families remains our top priority, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and support them," Pigott added.
Pigott also rejected an earlier media report about US plans for the departure of some staff and family members at US embassies in the Gulf region, calling it "inaccurate".
Further withdrawals possible
Four US officials told Reuters that US missions in other Gulf countries would also require the family members of staff to leave.
The US had previously brought some diplomatic personnel back to the region in recent months, after many were evacuated when Tehran launched attacks on US facilities following the start of the US-Israel war against Iran in late February.
The latest withdrawals follow an escalation of fighting in Yemen, opening another front in the regional conflict sparked by that war. The conflict has disrupted global energy trade and hurt Gulf economies.
The US Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on Wednesday warning of possible further Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia following recent deadly airstrikes, including one on Riyadh's airport.
The embassy and a CIA station there were hit by drone attacks in early March, when Iran began launching attacks across the region.
