US orders nonessential embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia

ISTANBUL

The US State Department said it has ordered “non-emergency US government employees and US government employee family members” to leave Saudi Arabia due to rising security risks in the region.

In a brief statement, it said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of US citizens and diplomatic staff amid ongoing security developments.

The department did not provide details about the specific threats that prompted the order, but the move comes at a time of heightened military and security tensions across the region.

In similar situations, the US often reduces the presence of nonessential personnel in countries facing potential security risks while maintaining core diplomatic staff to ensure the continued functioning of its missions.