The US Department of State has stressed that the forced evacuation of non-emergency government personnel and their families only applies to Saudi Arabia, refuting rumors that similar restrictions were being implemented throughout the Persian Gulf.
Tommy Pigott, a department spokeswoman, said allegations of a further pullout from US diplomatic missions in the region were erroneous. He clarified that the instructions only apply to non-emergency US government officials and their families in Saudi Arabia.
The clarification comes as Saudi Arabia faces a series of attacks on airport facilities, including a reported strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21, 2026, that killed one resident and injured eight others.
US Evacuation Order Covers Saudi Arabia Only
In a statement posted on X, Pigott clarified that the evacuation order did not apply to US diplomatic missions in the Gulf area. His words addressed concerns that Washington was about to ask non-emergency workers to evacuate several embassies.
Pigott also cited strikes linked to Iranian-backed Houthi troops as a security risk. He stated that the organization has escalated assaults against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and other important infrastructure.
According to the spokeswoman, these instances resulted in civilian deaths and significant disruptions to travel. He did not issue a larger evacuation order beyond the one involving Saudi Arabia.
According to Pigott, the department’s first concern continues to be the protection of diplomatic workers and families. He stressed that the United States will continue to take the necessary precautions to safeguard and support its soldiers.
The clarification specifies the geographical boundary of the existing departure order: Saudi Arabia. The message did not clarify the same orders for US federal personnel stationed elsewhere in the Persian Gulf.
US Evacuation Order Follows Saudi Airport Attacks
The fresh clarification comes after an incident on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday evening, October 21. According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), one citizen died and eight were wounded.
According to GACA, the injured received mild to serious wounds and were sent to the hospital for treatment. The incident also caused property damage, which is still being assessed by officials. The authority stated that it will offer more updates.
The Dammam tragedy comes after other deadly attacks on Saudi airport infrastructure earlier in October. According to a source, an attack on King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed 13 people, including an Indian national, and injured hundreds more.
GACA first reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries in a statement made on October 11. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh later reported that one of the Indian nationals injured in the incident had died.
On October 6 and 7, further attacks were launched against King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport. According to GACA, those incidents killed three people and injured 36 others.
Airport operations were momentarily halted as officials assessed damage and conducted safety inspections in collaboration with the appropriate agencies.
The US State Department’s most recent statement distinguishes between the security situation in Saudi Arabia and the breadth of the personnel leave order. While attacks on airports have continued to raise security concerns, the department has confirmed that the latest order solely affects non-emergency government personnel and their families in Saudi Arabia.
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