US State Department orders emergency departure of diplomats - NYT
US State Department (Photo: Getty Images)
The US State Department has ordered the departure of some employees of the American diplomatic mission from Saudi Arabia, according to a New York Times report.
Current and former US officials reported that diplomats were ordered to leave the country under a mandatory departure order amid growing security risks in the region.
State Department's decision
According to sources, this is the first such order for the drawdown of personnel from Saudi Arabia since the start of the US and Israeli war against Iran on February 28.
Previously, non-essential employees and their family members were allowed to leave the country voluntarily, but mandatory orders were not issued.
The officials who disclosed the new decision spoke on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to comment publicly on the situation.
Attacks on the US embassy
The departure order was issued following a series of attacks on the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense reported that the US embassy building and the surrounding area were struck by two drones, resulting in a small fire and minor damage.
The embassy warned residents to avoid the area and disseminated a security message for American citizens.
US citizens in Riyadh, as well as in Jeddah and Dhahran, where American consulates operate, were advised to shelter in place.
Possible expansion of evacuation
According to officials, consulate employees have also been instructed to prepare for a possible mandatory departure.
Senior Saudi diplomats had previously appealed to Washington to consider such a decision amid the increasing frequency of attacks.
Escalation in the region
Following the initial US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Tehran responded with missile strikes and drone attacks on several countries in the region.
The strikes targeted Gulf states hosting US bases or where Washington's allied forces are present.
These events have heightened tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns among regional residents about a possible expansion of the conflict.
We recall that the US Department of Defense confirmed the deaths of four American service members, who became the first casualties of Operation Epic Fury launched against Iran. According to the Pentagon, the soldiers died during combat, but details of the incident and the circumstances of their deaths have not yet been disclosed.
US President Donald Trump stated that the short-term rise in oil prices amid the escalating conflict with Iran is an acceptable consequence of the current situation. According to him, such fluctuations in the energy market can occur during periods of military tension, but they are justified by security and strategic goals.
