US orders departure of non-emergency government personnel in Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait

The US State Department announced on Monday that non-emergency government workers and their families must leave Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait due to security threats. The department highlighted that staff in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait are under constant threat from drone and missile attacks linked to Iran, along with major disruptions to commercial flights. There are also warnings about potential terrorist attacks in Jordan and Bahrain, while Iraq faces a high risk of violence and kidnapping. This mandatory departure order for non-emergency personnel from three embassies is the first since the US and Israel began military actions against Iran, reflecting increased security dangers in the region as Iran responds, particularly targeting US military and diplomatic sites. Recently, two suspected Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and two more hit near the Riyadh facility. The US Embassy in Kuwait also experienced an attack. Following the onset of the conflict, several US embassies in the area have instructed staff to shelter in place and advised American citizens to do the same. Although these departures do not mean the embassies are closing, the US Embassy in Kuwait did announce on Tuesday that it would be closed until further notice. Other embassies will retain only essential personnel while urging US citizens in the Middle East to leave immediately using commercial flights. However, many may find it difficult to leave quickly as numerous airlines have halted flights in the region. The US government has not yet started evacuation flights for American citizens.