Armed Man Killed in Shooting Near US Consulate in Jeddah

In an exchange of gunfire between an armed man and Saudi security forces near the US consulate building in Jeddah, two people were killed, resulting in the death of the assailant and an American State Department security guard. A spokesperson for the US State Department announced in a statement released on Wednesday night that no Americans were harmed in the incident. According to Reuters, citing a spokesperson for the Mecca police, an individual stopped in a vehicle near the US consulate building in Jeddah province, exited the vehicle while armed, and was confronted by security guards, leading to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the assailant's death. The Mecca police stated that this attack occurred at 6:45 PM local time on Wednesday. The report indicated that investigations will continue until the motive for the attack is determined. Following the incident, the US State Department spokesperson stated that 'the embassy and consulate continue to communicate with Saudi officials regarding this incident.' The US consulate in Jeddah has been targeted multiple times in recent years. In 2016, a suicide bomber was killed in an explosion near the complex, injuring two others. In 2004, five individuals attacked the US consulate with bombs and firearms, killing four Saudi security personnel outside and five local employees inside. In that attack, three of the assailants were killed and two were arrested. The 2004 attack in Jeddah followed other deadly bombings and shootings against expatriate facilities, Westerners working in Saudi Arabia, and other targets that were part of al-Qaeda's campaign aimed at overthrowing the ruling Al Saud family. Security warning from the US embassy in Saudi Arabia to American travelers. Information about one of the bombings in Saudi Arabia; Iran condemned the terrorist attack. Suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia; at least six people were killed in Medina. Explosion of a suicide bomber near the US consulate in Jeddah.