Washington, Oct. 22 -- The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid heightened security concerns following attacks on airports and critical infrastructure in the Kingdom.

Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for the US Department of State, clarified that the ordered departure applied only to Saudi Arabia, disputing reports that similar instructions were being prepared for US diplomatic missions across the Gulf.

In a post on X, Pigott said Iranian-backed Houthis had increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that had caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.

"The safety and...