The key facts

  • The US diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia issued a nationwide alert over the threat of Houthi attacks
  • Riyadh airport partially resumed operations on October 23, while Jeddah and Dammam airports experienced disruptions
  • On October 23, the State Department ordered the departure of employees without emergency tasks and their family members

Alert on Attack Threat

The US diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia on Saturday issued a nationwide security alert, urging Americans to exercise 'heightened vigilance' due to an increased threat of Houthi attacks. The mission's message states that Houthi attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia 'have resulted in civilian casualties and serious travel disruptions,' and that hostilities could spread 'quickly.' Citizens were urged to exercise extreme caution when using the kingdom's airports and to confirm flight status directly with the airline and the airport.

Airport Situation and Restrictions for Staff

According to the mission, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh partially resumed operations on October 23: for domestic flights and some international flights by Saudi carriers. A limited number of flights normally based in Riyadh were operated from Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Airport in Qassim. The airports in Jeddah and Dammam remained open but with delays and cancellations. Also on October 23, the State Department ordered US government employees without emergency tasks and family members of American government employees to leave Saudi Arabia. Government employees in the kingdom require special permission from the chief of mission to use any Saudi airport, and they are prohibited from traveling within 20 miles of the Yemeni border. All land border crossings, including the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, remained open; Americans were also urged to monitor emergency alerts from Saudi Civil Defense.

Conflict Context

The alert came amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia: the coalition reported multiple interceptions of missiles and drones targeting the kingdom. Yemen has been in a state of conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and other provinces, which in 2015 prompted the Saudi Arabia-led coalition to intervene in support of the government.