Trump orders diplomats to leave embassies in Middle East over fears US could join strikes on Houthis
The United States is evacuating and relocating diplomats, military personnel, and family members from embassies across the Middle East. President Trump ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks that struck an airport and an oil field, killing at least two people at an airport in Dammam. Similar withdrawals and departures are underway or reported in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain. The moves come as Washington faces escalating tensions with Iran and growing fears that the United States could join military strikes against the Houthis.
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- ✓ The United States ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes on an airport and an oil field.
- ✓ Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia killed at least two people at an airport in Dammam.
- ✓ The United States is pulling personnel and relocating diplomats and their families from Saudi Arabia and multiple Middle Eastern posts.
What changed
President Trump ordered the departure of non-emergency diplomatic staff from Saudi Arabia and other regional posts as Houthi strikes intensified.
Live updates
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US Pulls Diplomats and Troops From Middle East Amid Houthi Attacks
The United States is evacuating and relocating diplomats, military personnel, and family members from embassies across the Middle East. President Trump ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks that struck an airport and an oil field, killing at least two people at an airport in Dammam. Similar withdrawals and departures are underway or reported in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain. The moves come as Washington faces escalating tensions with Iran and growing fears that the United States could join military strikes against the Houthis.
Why it matters
Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia have revived fears of a widening regional conflict and a potential restart of war with Iran following the US midterm elections. The United States is rushing to move personnel to protect American staff from retaliatory actions or direct involvement in escalating hostilities. These withdrawals signal heightened threat levels across multiple diplomatic posts in the region.
What is confirmed
- The United States ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes on an airport and an oil field.
- Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia killed at least two people at an airport in Dammam.
- The United States is pulling personnel and relocating diplomats and their families from Saudi Arabia and multiple Middle Eastern posts.
Still unconfirmed
- Similar withdrawals are occurring from the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain due to concerns about the restart of war with Iran after US midterm elections.
What to watch next
- Any official confirmation of direct US military strikes joining operations against the Houthis.
- Further announcements regarding embassy closures or expanded evacuation orders across additional Gulf nations.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (10)
- Reuters — EXCLUSIVE: US preparing to issue ordered departure of some personnel from Gulf embassies, say US officials
- NBC News — U.S. troops and diplomats evacuating Middle East posts, sources say
- Fox News — US pulls personnel from Saudi Arabia as kingdom comes under Houthi fire
- Bloomberg.com — US Pulls Diplomats From Saudi as Houthi and Iran Tensions Worsen
- www.cnbc.com — U.S. pulls diplomats from Saudi Arabia as renewed Iran ... - CNBC
- www.theguardian.com — Some US diplomats told to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
- The Independent — Trump orders diplomats to leave embassies in Middle East over fears US could join strikes on Houthis
- www.independent.co.uk — Trump orders diplomats to leave embassies in Middle East over ...
- www.cnn.com — US discreetly moves diplomats and families from multiple ...
- www.timesnownews.com — US Moves Embassy Staff Families From Middle East Amid Fears ...
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