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scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

US State Dept sent messages to US citizens. See below. What is happening ?

Subject: Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

United States Embassy Riyadh

The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. Embassies and Consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4. The Department has been apprised of information that, out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations, indicates we should institute these precautionary steps. It is possible we may have additional days of closings as well, depending on our analysis. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and Consulates General in Dhahran and Jeddah will be closed on Sunday, August 4.

U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance in Saudi Arabia should contact the nearest U.S. mission immediately. The emergency numbers are: U.S. Embassy in Riyadh (011-488-3800), U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah (02-667-0080), or U.S. Consulate General in Dhahran (03-330-3200).

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Someone suspected of being a member of Al-Qaeeda sent them an email or they read a tweet or something.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject:

We had a bunch of those - could be low-level threat possibility:CYA (Cover Your Ass) or might be more serious.

One can never tell, but after a few CYA's, the problem is that it's like the boy who cried wolf.

Best to take them all seriously - you just never know.

Regards,
John

DLIguy · Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:01 pm Post subject:

Just a coinky-dinky that it's falling right at the Eid period???

Don't forget! You die during Ramadan, you get to push to the front of the line!

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

I was reading today that they were worried mostly about Yemen and the British embassies were not sending in their key employees to certain posts as it was far too dangerous for them to report to work.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Wimps. If they felt like that they should have stayed at home in Surbiton !

massiveg · Joined: 14 Mar 2013 Posts: 36

auhruh · Joined: 01 Aug 2013 Posts: 37

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

So I guess the embassies are closed until Saturday now, right?

I just read that Yemen is now considered a no-go zone. Both America and the UK are evacuating their staff and telling their citizens to make their own emergency exit plans as they will not have services there to help their citizens in the foreseeable future. It's never been a very safe country to begin with! No surprise there. The drone attacks have reportedly killed key enemies, so they are concerned about the possibility of vengeful counter measures.

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

I wanted to post a slightly positive note to the new teachers that are thinking of moving to KSA. Based on my own personal experience living in Jeddah for five years, I have felt my "Spider-Man" alert tingle just one time while I was walking around the parking lot of the International Mall. I have felt rather safe all of the other times, but I would still recommended that everyone expand their field of vision and think about where you are. I wouldn't think anyone should let it ruin their time over here. I think most teachers would agree that Jeddah is a little different then most areas of KSA and if you feel worried about coming over to KSA, I would recommend that you look for jobs in Jeddah.

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

Seems to me the risk of being in an auto accident or fatally run over by a speeding idiot behind the wheel are far greater than being attacked by radical extremists anywhere in the Middle East or elsewhere for that matter. I've seen enough bloody awful 'accidents' -

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

They were trying to hire for teachers to go to Yemen to teach ESL. Salary $700 US. I'm glad I passed on it Laughing

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

Expat101 · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 108

There's a new message from the Embassy of the United States:
'The Department of State has instructed certain US Embassies and Consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations from Monday, August 5, through Wednesday, August 14, 2013. In accordance with these instructions, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran will be closed for business from August 5 through August 14. For more information, see the Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens.'

The British Embassy remains open.

The Australian Embassy says this:
Saudi Arabia 25/07/2013 Middle East Reconsider your need to travel

The Canadian Embassy says nothing about it.