Houthi airport campaign prompts US staff departure from Saudi Arabia

The US has ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks on airports in the kingdom and Yemen escalate.

• The US State Department issued an ordered departure for non-emergency employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia.
• The State Department said Houthi attacks on civilian airports and infrastructure have caused civilian casualties and warned hostilities could escalate rapidly.
• Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki announced forces intercepted and destroyed four drones in Saudi Arabia's eastern region.
• The Yemeni transport ministry said a Houthi ballistic missile struck near Aden airport's runway Wednesday after two civilian flights departed.
• State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott denied reports that US embassies across the Gulf would be evacuated, saying the departure order applies only to Saudi Arabia.
• CNN reported Houthi strikes hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other Saudi facilities.
• CNN reported several US diplomatic missions across the Middle East are adjusting staffing due to the Houthi threat.
• Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced four operations targeting Riyadh's defense ministry, Aramco facilities in Yanbu, and Dammam and Abha airports.