US orders non-emergency diplomats out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes

The U.S. State Department has ordered some diplomats and the families of U.S. government employees to leave Saudi Arabia. CNBC describes those affected as non-emergency staff. The Guardian, BBC, Deutsche Welle and CNBC all report the order.

CNBC reports the U.S. is readying strikes on Iran after the midterm elections. The text provided does not say who is behind that report or give details. CNBC says the withdrawal has revived fears of a wider regional conflict.

The Guardian and the BBC report that at least three people died in the latest strikes, which hit an airport and an oil field. The Guardian says that happened Wednesday evening and that Saudi Arabia has faced near-daily attacks from the Iran-supported Houthis in Yemen.

According to the Guardian, the department pointed to Houthi attacks on "civilian airports and other critical infrastructure." Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said protecting department staff and their families is the top priority.

The Guardian also reports similar withdrawals in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. It ties them to concern about renewed conflict with Iran after the midterms. The other outlets' text, as provided, does not mention those countries.