US orders destruction of secret files as diplomats evacuate Kuwait embassy
The US flag in front of a financial institution (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The US ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Kuwait City overnight from Thursday to Friday local time, reports CBS News.
According to two US officials, the order included instructions for embassy staff to destroy confidential information and wipe it from secure servers.
American officials also told CBS News that the US embassy in Kuwait had been attacked multiple times. The US State Department had earlier announced the suspension of the embassy’s operations.
"While there have been no reported injuries to U.S. personnel, the safety of Americans abroad remains the highest priority," the State Department said in a statement announcing the suspension.
The outlet also notes that the evacuation was influenced by Iran’s strike on Kuwait earlier this week, which killed six US service members.
Kuwait dragged into the war
Kuwait has become involved in Operation Epic Fury, siding with the US and Israel against Iran. Shortly after the American strikes on February 28, Tehran began launching attacks on US military bases located in several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait.
One of the most widely reported incidents occurred when Iranian drones violated Kuwaiti airspace. During the subsequent attack on a commercial port, six American service members were killed.
There was also an incident in which Kuwait mistakenly targeted three US fighter jets, confusing them with hostile aircraft. The pilots managed to eject and are reported to be in stable condition.
