Six Pakistanis, Nepalese injured in Abu Dhabi: Diplomats told to shelter in Riyadh

RIYADH: Some Western embassy staff in Riyadh were told to shelter in place, diplomatic sources told AFP on Thursday, with drone debris injuring six people in Abu Dhabi as Iran pressed attacks across the Gulf.

The war in the Middle East has engulfed the otherwise stable Gulf region as Iran retaliates to US and Israeli strikes that killed its supreme leader, launching strikes at Israel, the wider region and beyond.

At least 13 people have been killed in the Gulf, including seven civilians, since Iran began its attacks on Saturday. Washington said six US servicemen were killed, including four in Kuwait.

In addition to the shelter-in-place order, a witness said the diplomatic quarter in the Saudi capital Riyadh had been closed off.

The witness and diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive security matter.

Britain said Thursday it was temporarily withdrawing some embassy staff and their dependants from Bahrain due to the security situation, adding that the embassy continues to operate despite the serious circumstances.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to falling debris at two sites in an industrial zone after air defences intercepted a drone, the emirate’s media office said.

Six Pakistani and Nepalese nationals were injured, while the UAE later said its air defences detected seven ballistic missiles, intercepting six as one fell inside the country.

Fresh waves of explosions, most from interceptions, also rocked Dubai, Doha and Manama on Thursday.