U.S. Embassies Closed On Sunday August 4th

Due to U.S. intelligence seeing “signs of an al Qaeda plot against American diplomatic posts in the Middle East and other Muslim countries,” U.S. embassies and several consulates around the world may close offices on Sunday.

CBS reports that as of 7:00 a.m. ET Friday, at least 17 embassies have announced that they will close on Sunday in accordance with the State Department’s guidance, including the U.S. embassies in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Sudan and Djibouti. A statement on the website of the embassy in Kuwait explained, “The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. Embassies and Consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4…Accordingly, the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait will be closed on Sunday, August 4.”

An official from the State Department said “For those who asked about which embassies and consulates we have instructed to suspend operations on August 4th, the answer is that we have instructed all U.S. Embassies and Consulates that would have normally been open on Sunday to suspend operations, specifically on August 4th. It is possible we may have additional days of closing as well.” The official added: “The Department, when conditions warrant, takes steps like this to balance our continued operations with security and safety.”