The US State Department has ordered non-emergency diplomatic staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, citing heightened security risks following the recent escalation of regional conflict.
According to current and former US officials, the directive for an "ordered departure" marks a significant shift from the previous voluntary leave policy. This mandatory withdrawal is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, following joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran.
Prior to this order, the US government had allowed non-essential employees to depart voluntarily from various Middle Eastern missions. However, the new mandate indicates a heightened assessment of the immediate security threats in the region.
The officials who confirmed the directive spoke on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to discuss sensitive security protocols publicly.
