UPDATE 2 - US State Department denies Gulf-wide evacuation plan
- Agency 'issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only,' spokesman says
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- Agency 'issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only,' spokesman says
ADDS REMARKS FROM TRUMP
By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US State Department on Wednesday rejected reports that it was preparing to order the departure of some personnel and their family members from US embassies in the Gulf, saying the measure only applied to Saudi Arabia.
"This is inaccurate," agency spokesman Tommy Pigott said on the US social media platform X, following media reports.
"The US Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency US government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only," he said.
Pigott cited hostilities by Yemen’s Houthi group against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that have resulted in civilian casualties and significant travel disruptions.
"The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and support them," he added.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was unaware of reports that US embassy personnel were being ordered to leave their posts in the Middle East.
Asked by a reporter why embassy personnel were being ordered to depart their posts in the region, Trump said he had no knowledge of the reported measures.
“I don’t know that they are. You’re telling me something, I wouldn’t know that,” he told reporters.
Earlier, the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia warned American citizens of a potential further escalation in hostilities against the kingdom, citing attacks by the Houthi group.
In a security alert, the mission said the hostilities could escalate "rapidly" beyond the immediate affected areas and urged US citizens across Saudi Arabia to remain alert to security developments.
"U.S. citizens are reminded to follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense via cellular broadcast," the advisory said.
The embassy also announced restrictions on US government personnel using airports in the kingdom following recent missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks.
"U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia,” the alert said.
According to the advisory, operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remained suspended, while King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam were operational but experiencing some delays and cancellations.
The advisory came amid escalating hostilities between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The Houthis have recently threatened to target Saudi energy infrastructure, including facilities operated by Saudi Aramco, as fighting intensifies in Yemen.
Diyar Güldoğan