The US Embassy in Riyadh has raised the level of security precautions imposed on US government employees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the escalation of attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting several Saudi regions.
The US diplomatic mission announced, in a statement, the imposition of new restrictions requiring its employees to obtain prior and special permission before undertaking any trip, whether official or personal, to the cities of Taif and Yanbu, attributing this measure to the “ongoing security situation” in the country.
In the same context, the mission issued a warning to American citizens residing in the Kingdom, calling on them to exercise the utmost caution and follow official instructions and guidelines. The directives included staying away from windows and glass towers in the event of air attacks, avoiding gatherings and areas witnessing heavy security deployment, as well as keeping mobile phones charged and preparing for the possibility of flights being canceled or airspace being closed suddenly. At the same time, the mission confirmed that its consular services, both regular and emergency, are still operating without interruption.
This security escalation comes after the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced the interception of a ballistic missile launched towards the capital, Riyadh, in addition to repeated attempts targeting civilian facilities in Yanbu, Taif, and other areas. On the other hand, the Houthis announced the implementation of attacks targeting sensitive sites and facilities belonging to Aramco in Yanbu, without providing independent evidence to confirm the validity of the damage they announced.
The restrictions imposed on the city of Yanbu are of great importance given that it contains strategic oil facilities and a vital port on the Red Sea coast, while the inclusion of the city of Taif on the list of prohibited cities except with prior permission indicates the expansion of the scope of American fears and precautionary measures within the Kingdom in light of continuing military tension.
