US orders non-essential embassy staff to leave Riyadh

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US State Department has instructed non-essential personnel and their family members at the US embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to leave the country, media reports said on Monday.

The State Department continues to advise Americans to “reconsider travel” to Saudi Arabia, although it has not recommended that all trips to the kingdom be cancelled, the BBC reported.

The department cited risks including “possible drone and missile attacks by Iran against US interests, armed conflict, terrorism, travel restrictions and local laws relating to social media.”

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that the order reflected ongoing concerns about potential Iranian strikes.

Earlier, the State Department also announced that, owing to security concerns, non-essential US government personnel and family members of American staff at US consulates in Lahore and Karachi should leave Pakistan.

kk/sa