Jubail: Local workers at Marafiq power generation and industrial water treatment plants said that their Western colleagues, particularly engineers, were provided with armoured vehicles on Monday morning. They also conducted drills on reaching these vehicles from their offices within 30 seconds.

Local staff described the move by the Saudi government as largely symbolic, aimed at reassuring their Western colleagues and encouraging them to remain in the country. They noted that the absence of these workers could significantly disrupt operations at the facilities.

Western expatriates in Saudi Arabia are reportedly experiencing increasing psychological pressure, amid repeated calls from their governments to leave the country. This is compounded by the daily sound of explosions, linked to the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, launched from Saudi territory and airspace, and the subsequent Iranian response.