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

A State Department spokesperson clarified that the ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families applies only to Saudi Arabia, rejecting reports of a broader pullout across the Persian Gulf. The statement emphasized that the scope was misrepresented and that safety remains the priority for personnel.

The clarification comes in the context of security concerns cited by Washington, tied to Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against Saudi targets, including civilian airports and other critical infrastructure. The department said such hostilities have caused casualties and travel disruptions, prompting protective measures for U.S. personnel.

In Saudi Arabia, a deadly attack targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on a Wednesday evening, resulting in one resident dead and eight people injured, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation. The injured were reported with a range of wounds and were transported to hospitals for treatment, with property damage under assessment.

This incident follows a sequence of attacks on Saudi airport facilities amid heightened regional tensions. Earlier in October, an attack on King Khalid International Airport reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities and hundreds injured, with later confirmation adjusting the death toll and injuries. Additional attacks on King Khalid International and Abha International Airports caused further casualties and led to temporary suspensions of airport operations.

Saudi authorities said updates would be provided as more information became available, as investigations and safety inspections continued in coordination with relevant agencies. The developments reflect a broader pattern of risk to aviation infrastructure in the region, shaping security decisions for foreign personnel and ongoing airport operations.