US warns of more attacks in S. Arabia

Published December 9, 2004

WASHINGTON, Dec 8: The US State Department has issued a warning about Saudi Arabia, saying there could be more terror attacks there in the coming days.

"All private US citizens currently in Saudi Arabia are strongly urged to depart," says the warning issued on Tuesday evening.

The department reminded Americans that it had evacuated all non-emergency employees and dependents from its missions in Saudi Aria "and (they) will not be permitted to return until further notice".

United States officials, however, said the consulate in Jeddah, which was attacked on Monday, and the American embassy in Riyadh were getting ready to re-open soon. The Pentagon is sending an anti-terror team of 50 marines to bolster security in Jeddah. The consulate already had six marines.

The State Department said "targeted attacks" like that had forced it to warn US citizens to defer travel to Saudi Arabia. The department also warned Americans against potential for "further terrorist actions" in other parts of the Persian Gulf region.

It warned that despite efforts to curb terrorism in Saudi Arabia, terrorist groups continued to target housing compounds, hotels, vehicles and commercial establishments where Westerners could be found.

Saudi government facilities were also targets, it said. "In addition to car bombs and armed assaults, involving multiple gunmen, against such facilities, terrorists have also used ambush attacks to kidnap or assassinate individual Westerners," the warning said.

The department urged those Americans who still chose to visit or remain in Saudi Arabia to avoid staying in hotels or housing compounds that did not apply stringent security measures.

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