Riyadh: A drone attack targeted the CIA station inside the US Embassy complex in Riyadh, causing part of the embassy roof to collapse and filling the building with smoke. The incident has raised serious concerns over the security of US intelligence operations in the region.
According to US officials, two drones struck the embassy complex on Monday, hitting the section housing the CIA station. The attacks caused structural damage to the embassy, though no casualties have been reported. US personnel inside the complex were instructed to shelter in place as a precaution.
The US State Department issued an urgent advisory warning that there is a high risk of further missile and drone attacks in Riyadh, urging American citizens in Saudi Arabia to stay away from the embassy and other sensitive areas. All regular and emergency consular appointments have been suspended until further notice.
In response to the attack, the US mission in Saudi Arabia activated an emergency security alert for American residents, advising them to remain vigilant and follow instructions from embassy personnel. The advisory warned that the capital, including Dhahran and other key cities, could also be targets for future strikes.
The attack comes amid heightened US and Israeli military operations against Iran, as part of Operation Epic Fury, marking a peak in regional tensions. Targeting the CIA station within the embassy underscores the vulnerability of US intelligence assets in the Gulf and signals a new phase of threats against American interests in Saudi Arabia.
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