Doha (TDI): Authorities in Doha evacuated residents living in buildings near the United States Embassy on Thursday as a precautionary measure, after Iran attacked US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The evacuation was ordered by Qatar’s Interior Ministry, which said residents of nearby residential buildings were temporarily relocated to safer locations while authorities assess the security situation.
Officials emphasized that the evacuation is purely preventive and that alternative accommodation had been arranged for those affected by the order.
Countries across the Gulf, especially those that host US assets and bases, are on high alert as Iran retaliates and responds to continuing US-Israeli joint attacks.
On Tuesday, the US embassy in Saudi capital came under Iranian drone attacks. Eye witnesses reported a loud blast and black smoke could be seen rising over the diplomatic area of Riyadh, where other foreign missions are also based.
Read More: US Embassy in Riyadh Hit By Drones, Causing Fire & Material Damage
However, no casualty was reported because the embassy was empty at the time of the attack. Saudi Ministry of Defense, in its initial statement, said that the drone attack caused only a limited fire and minor material damage.
Meanwhile, non-essential diplomatic staff from US embassies in Gulf countries has largely been evacuated, and evacuation advisory was issued for all American citizens across a dozen Middle Eastern countries.
US embassies remain a likely and potential target of Iranian attacks. The Gulf region is facing heightened security risks, including missile and drone attacks mostly targeting US-linked sites and military installations.
Qatari authorities have not disclosed specific intelligence behind the evacuation but said the action was taken “as a temporary precaution” to ensure public safety.
Residents were moved from the immediate vicinity of the embassy compound, which lies in a district that hosts several diplomatic missions and government facilities. In Qatar, the US and UK diplomatic missions advised their citizens to shelter in place and remain alert.
