The United States has begun evacuating diplomats and their families from five countries in the Middle East

According to CNN, departure orders are already in effect for U.S. personnel in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan.

The measure applies to the families of diplomats and staff at embassies, with the exception of those involved in addressing critical tasks.

The evacuation was prompted by intelligence warnings about Iran's preparations for a series of coordinated attacks against U.S. citizens abroad.

 Sources described the evacuation as a frustrating and chaotic case of "déjà vu". Some of the officials who must now leave the region had only recently returned to their posts, having previously been evacuated during the Iran-Iraq War. "It’s very much a 'Groundhog Day' kind of atmosphere," one source remarked. Another U.S. source described the evacuation by saying, "To call it chaotic would be an understatement."

Furthermore, there were complaints that the financial support offered does not cover the costs of relocating entire families out of the region—a particularly difficult burden for many households, as this is their second time having to move. 

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN