The History of Violent Incidents at the US Consulate in Jeddah

On Wednesday, two people were killed, one of them a Nepalese security guard, when a gunman opened fire outside the US consulate building. The shooter was also killed in the exchange of gunfire. US officials and Saudi authorities are currently investigating the incident. Wednesday’s incident sparked an investigation by Saudi police, who have yet to announce any details on the shooter’s identity or motives. The US consulate in Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, has been the target of several attacks over the years. 

No US citizens were injured. In 2016, there was an attempted attack on the consulate across the street from the Dr Suleiman Faqeeh Hospital. Security personnel identified a suspicious individual, who detonated a suicide belt and killed himself. The consulate was last attacked in 2004, when five people breached the building with firearms and explosives.

Four Saudi security personnel were killed outside the consulate and five staff inside. The attackers, believed to have links to al-Qaeda, also died in the exchange of gunfire. The motive behind Wednesday’s attack has yet to be revealed by Saudi police, who are still investigating. The US Embassy and Consulate remain in contact with Saudi authorities.