16 April 2004

by Anai Rhoads

AnaiRhoads.org - The United States announced an immediate evacuation Thursday for all non-essential U.S. personnel out of Saudi Arabia after intelligence revealled possible terrorist attacks on Western targets in the country.

American citizens who are planning to enter the country are urged to drop their plans until the threat is lifted. All Americans residing or visiting Saudi Arabia are asked to leave, this includes family members of servicemen and servicewomen stationed there.

The State Department has not been vocal regarding the actual numbers of Americans that are asked to leave immediately, however the Washington Post reported that at least 200 Americans are expected to be deported ahead of everyone else.

Only an ambassador, emergency staff, and two consulates (in Dhahran and Jeddah) will be left at the Riyadh embassy, a State Department official said Friday.

Current interrogations are under way of possible suspects. Pipe bombs and other materials were found which prompted the increase in threat level.

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