Drone Attack on US Mission in Riyadh Prompts Security Alert
The United States Embassy compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was reportedly targeted by two drones on Tuesday. The Saudi Ministry of Defense said the incident caused a limited fire and minor material damage. There were no reports of injuries, and the building was reportedly unoccupied at the time.
Witnesses and sources reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing smoke rising in the Diplomatic Quarter (the embassy area) in Riyadh early in the morning. Saudi authorities stated that air defense systems were also responding to drone threats in the area.
This attack comes amid a broader escalation of conflict in the region. Reuters reported that the Riyadh incident was part of a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf states hosting US military bases, following the US-Israeli attack on Iran the previous weekend.
In response to the security situation, the US mission in Saudi Arabia issued a "shelter in place" advisory for US citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, and asked them to avoid the embassy area.
Politically, the escalation was also reflected in US President Donald Trump's statement that a "big wave" of conflict with Iran had not yet occurred, suggesting that military operations could escalate. This situation has kept global markets on alert, particularly regarding regional security risks and their impact on energy.
Source: Newsmaker.id
