The United States Embassy in Riyadh has come under attack after two drones reportedly struck the diplomatic facility in the Saudi capital, prompting an urgent security alert for American citizens across the Kingdom.
The incident occurred early Tuesday, according to an official statement released by the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia. In response to the strike, the embassy immediately activated emergency protocols and issued a “shelter in place” directive for Americans in Riyadh and other major cities.
Security Clampdown in Jeddah and Dhahran
The directive covers Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran, with U.S. officials limiting non-essential travel, particularly to military installations in the region.
“The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia has issued a shelter in place notification for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran and are limiting non-essential travel to any military installations in the region,” the statement read. “We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom to shelter in place immediately and avoid the Embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility.”
While confirming the drone strike, the embassy did not disclose the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties. Authorities said assessments are ongoing as security agencies work to secure the area.
Embassy Monitoring ‘Evolving Regional Situation’
The U.S. Mission said it is closely tracking developments amid heightened regional tensions.
“The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia continues to monitor the regional situation,” the statement added, without attributing responsibility for the attack.
American citizens residing in or visiting Saudi Arabia have been urged to exercise extreme caution. The embassy advised travellers to review its latest Security Alerts and reconsider any travel plans that could be disrupted by the unfolding security situation.
“We encourage all travellers to review our most recent Security Alerts, review any travel plans in case of disruptions, and make appropriate decisions to keep themselves and their families safe,” the mission said.
The embassy also stressed the importance of preparedness and personal safety awareness for U.S. nationals abroad.
“We advise all U.S. citizens to maintain a personal safety plan. Crises can happen unexpectedly while traveling or living abroad, and a good plan helps you think through potential scenarios and determine in advance the best course of action.”
