US Reduces Forces in Middle East, Pulls Non-Essential Staff from Saudi Arabia

In response to escalating threats in the Middle East, the US State Department has ordered a reduction in the number of staff not tied to emergency missions, along with their families, in Saudi Arabia. The move comes as some non-essential government personnel are also being withdrawn.

NBC News, citing US officials, reported that the American military has in recent days reduced its military presence in various parts of the Middle East. The State Department also said it had ordered cuts in staffing at some US diplomatic missions in the region.

However, a State Department spokesperson rejected a Reuters report that said staff had been ordered out of US embassies in other Gulf countries, stressing that the order applies only to non-essential personnel in Saudi Arabia.

Separately, CNN, citing informed sources, reported that following threats made by the Ansarullah group, US diplomatic missions in the Middle East are reducing their staff numbers.