Drones Strike US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Responds

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The US Embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh was hit by drones on Monday, causing a fire that resulted in only minor damage, according to the Saudi Defence Ministry. The attack marks an escalation of tensions in the region and raises concerns about the security of diplomatic facilities in the Middle East.

In a statement, the ministry said the attack was carried out by drones and that a fire had broken out at the embassy, but that the damage was limited. Saudi authorities acted quickly to contain the situation and extinguish the blaze, minimizing the impact.

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The US Embassy in Riyadh is a heavily fortified compound that houses diplomatic staff and their families. The drone strike is the latest in a series of attacks on Saudi infrastructure and institutions, which have been blamed on Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.

Saudi Arabia has been leading a military coalition against the Houthis since 2015, after the group seized control of large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis facing famine and disease.

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The attack on the US Embassy comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. Iran and the United States have been engaged in a war of words and economic sanctions since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. The Biden administration has been seeking to revive the agreement, but progress has been slow.

The Saudi government has condemned the attack and vowed to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and diplomatic facilities. The US State Department has also condemned the incident and said it is working to ensure the safety of its personnel in Riyadh.

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The drone strike on the US Embassy is a concerning development that highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region. As tensions continue to simmer, the international community will be closely watching to see how Saudi Arabia and the US respond to this latest provocation.