According to the U.S. State Department, two individuals were killed in a shooting exchange between an armed man and Saudi security forces near the American consulate building in Jeddah, resulting in the death of the attacker and one of the consulate's guards. A department spokesperson stated that the incident did not result in any injuries to American citizens. The Saudi news agency quoted the spokesman for the Mecca region police as saying, "A person in a vehicle stopped near the American consulate building in Jeddah and exited carrying a firearm. The relevant security authorities took action accordingly, resulting in his death during the exchange of gunfire." The agency added, "One security staff member of Nepali nationality sustained injuries that led to his death." Investigations into the incident are still ongoing. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department mentioned, "The U.S. Embassy and its consulate remain in contact with Saudi authorities while an investigation is underway."
The consulate has faced several attacks in recent years, including a suicide bomber in 2016 that resulted in two injuries from an explosion near the complex. In 2004, five individuals stormed the consulate with explosives and firearms, leading to the deaths of four Saudi security personnel outside the consulate and five local staff members inside. Three of the attackers were killed during the operation, and two were arrested. The 2004 attack occurred following a series of bombings and violent shootings targeting foreign compounds and Westerners in the Kingdom as part of a campaign by Al-Qaeda.
