Shooting Outside US Consulate in Jeddah Leaves 2 Dead

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Facts

  • The US State Department revealed on Wednesday that two individuals have been killed following an exchange of gunfire between Saudi Arabian authorities and an armed man near the US consulate building in Jeddah.1
  • A spokesperson for the Mecca Region Police stated security authorities "took the initiative" to deal with the assailant, who had exited a car holding a firearm, with the consequent "exchange of fire" leading to both the man's death as well as the death of a Nepalese security guard.2
  • The State Department spokesperson stated that, following the incident, the consulate was "appropriately locked down" with no American citizens harmed in the attack.3
  • Officials in Saudi Arabia have launched an investigation into the matter, while it was ensured that both the US embassy and consulate in the country will remain in contact with Saudi authorities as the investigation progresses.4
  • The US Jeddah consulate has witnessed incursions in the past, as a suicide bomber attacked the institution on July 4, 2016, and an earlier attack killed five in 2004.5

Sources: 1Reuters, 2Al Jazeera, 3CBS, 4Axios, and 5Barrons.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Newsweek. It's important for the US to maintain a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. Despite the state's newfound special relationships with Russia and China, global oil demand continues to rise and Saudi Arabia's energy security is a key tool. Although there are some reasons for concern, the US still possesses a plethora of goodwill in Saudi Arabia which must be conserved for the future.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Saudi Leaks. Relations between the US and Saudi Arabia are facing an unprecedented decline. Saudi Arabia is refusing to cooperate in the condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with US-Saudi cooperation reaching a critical stage. As the US continues to take tougher measures against the kingdom and focus less on Saudi security, there is a real belief that things may only get worse between the two.