![Smoke rises over the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen on Wednesday (local time), following clashes between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels. [AFP]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/22/news-p.v1.20261022.4eb4a814c423410b99ef5bcc6ab4958b_P1.jpg)
As clashes between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels intensify and dangers mount across the Middle East, the US military is quietly drawing down its troop presence in the region. Washington is also preparing evacuation orders for embassy personnel and their families.
Senior officials, including those from the US Department of Defense, told CBS News on Wednesday (local time) that the US military is reducing its deployments at multiple locations across the Middle East.
Earlier, the Department of State ordered some government employees in Saudi Arabia to leave. Reuters reported that the State Department is also preparing evacuation orders for embassy staff at other Gulf missions beyond Saudi Arabia.
CBS reported that US embassies at several other locations in the Middle East are adjusting staffing under "operational restrictions" — a measure short of a full evacuation order. The State Department introduced the restrictions in August as armed exchanges with Iran escalated, allowing embassies to reduce personnel and services without suspending operations entirely.
Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, offered a measured response to CBS's inquiry. "We routinely move US forces and assets to optimize our ability to execute our mission," he said, adding that the military does not comment on specific movements for operational security reasons. "US forces remain on alert and ready to protect US personnel and interests throughout the region," he said.
Over the weekend, the US issued travel advisories through its embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, urging Americans to avoid travel to those countries.
kate01@heraldcorp.com
