Saudi Airport Attack: Is the US Preparing to Pull Its Diplomats Out of the Gulf?

The US Department of State has clarified that its ordered departure for non-emergency government employees and their families applies only to Saudi Arabia, rejecting reports that similar measures are being planned across multiple diplomatic posts in the Persian Gulf.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott addressed the reports in a post on X, stating that the scope of the order had been misrepresented.

“This is inaccurate. The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only,” Pigott wrote.

Explaining the security concerns behind the decision, Pigott said Iranian-backed Houthi forces had stepped up hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that had caused casualties and disrupted travel.

“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.

DEADLY ATTACK ON DAMMAM AIRPORT

The clarification comes after an attack targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday evening, leaving one resident dead and eight others injured, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

In a statement posted on X, GACA said the injured had sustained wounds ranging from minor to critical and were taken to hospital for treatment. The attack also caused property damage, the extent of which was being assessed.

The authority said further updates would be provided as more information became available.

PREVIOUS ATTACKS ON SAUDI AIRPORTS

The latest incident follows a series of attacks targeting Saudi airport facilities amid heightened regional tensions.

On October 10, an attack on King Khalid International Airport reportedly killed 13 people and injured hundreds. GACA had initially reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries in a statement issued on October 11. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh subsequently confirmed that an Indian national who had been injured in the attack had died.

Earlier, attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7 had left three people dead and 36 injured, according to GACA.

Airport operations were temporarily suspended as authorities assessed the damage and conducted safety inspections in coordination with relevant agencies.

With inputs from ANI