U.S. orders personnel to flee Saudi Arabia amid deadly attacks, just 10 days before Canelo Alvarez fight

The U.S. State Department on Wednesday ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia amid ongoing missile and drone attacks in the country. The order comes just one week out from Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s scheduled boxing match in the region, and two weeks before WWE’s scheduled Crown Jewel event, both of which are set to be held in Riyadh.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the order Wednesday following a series of deadly attacks by Houthi rebels targeting airports and other infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, which have claimed the lives of at least 20 people and injured at least 370:

The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only.

Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.

The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and support them.

Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 21, 2026)

Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The… pic.twitter.com/cRvHCuSgCQ

— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) October 21, 2026

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia also issued a security alert Wednesday warning that the fighting in the country could escalate rapidly.

The developments come just 10 days before Alvarez is scheduled to face Christian Mbilli in Riyadh in a WBC super middleweight world title fight on Oct. 31. The Mexican boxing superstar previously indicated that he intends to proceed with the fight despite the security concerns, although those sentiments came before Wednesday’s order.

WWE is also scheduled to hold Crown Jewel in Riyadh on Nov. 7.

Both events remain on for Riyadh as of Wednesday.

Noted boxing trainer Robert Garcia, who’s readying boxer Lindolfo Delgado for an IBF super lightweight title on the Canelo-Mbilli undercard, became the first person involved with the Oct. 31 show to publicly state fears over his safety this past Sunday.

"Didn’t they already cancel a tennis [tournament]? There’s no flights going over there. The airport is being bombed. How the f***? Do they expect us to f***ing go comfortable like nothing?” Garcia told boxing reporter Elie Seckbach.

"We’re not [flying to a private airport]. We’re going to the f***ing airport that’s being bombed. F*** that. … We’re not secured.”

Several other major sporting events in Saudi Arabia have already been postponed due to the attacks, including the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and Saudi International golf tournament.

The UFC, which shares a parent company with WWE — TKO Group Holdings — is also currently set to move forward with its Middle East schedule amid the turmoil.

UFC 333 takes place this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev. The promotion additionally has a Saudi Arabia event scheduled for Dec. 5 in Riyadh. UFC CEO Dana White said earlier this week that the promotion has no plans to change its schedule.

In addition to UFC and WWE, TKO is in business with Saudi Arabia via Zuffa Boxing, which counts Saudi Arabian firm Sela and Saudi fight financier Turki Alalshikh among its owners.

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.