US embassy in Riyadh hit by drones, Trump suggests retaliation
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The drone attack came amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes on Gulf states that host US bases, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28.
PHOTO: AFP
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RIYADH - The US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom’s defence ministry said in a post on X on March 3, citing an initial assessment.
The drone attack came amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes on Gulf states that host US bases, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28.
The embassy later confirmed an attack and urged people to stay away, saying it would be closed on March 3.
“Avoid the embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility,” a statement said, urging American citizens to “shelter in place”.
US President Donald Trump told NewsNation that you’ll find out soon what the retaliation will be in response to an attack on the US embassy in Riyadh and over the deaths of US military personnel during the Iran conflict, a reporter at the media outlet posted on X, citing an interview with him.
A loud blast was heard and flames were seen at the US embassy in Riyadh early on the morning of March 3, three people familiar with the matter said, with one person saying the fire was minor.
Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, which houses foreign missions.
There were no reported injuries, two of the people familiar with the matter said, given the building was empty in the early morning hours.
The embassy issued a “shelter in place” notice early on March 3 for US citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, and recommended that they avoid the embassy until further notice due to the attack on the facility.
An embassy spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the Saudi government media office. REUTERS
