Attack by two drones on US embassy in Riyadh sparks 'limited' fire - Saudi defence ministry spokesman

RIYADH - An attack by two drones early Tuesday on the US embassy in Riyadh sparked a small fire, a Saudi defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, while Iran pressed on with its campaign of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

"The US Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, according to initial assessments. The attack resulted in a limited fire and minor material damage to the building," the statement said after witnesses told AFP they had seen smoke over the building housing the US diplomatic mission.

A source close to the Saudi army told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, that Saudi air defence intercepted four drones targeting Riyadh's diplomatic quarter in the attack.

In the aftermath, the US embassy issued shelter in place notification for citizens in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran. - AFP