Sri Lanka, March 3 -- The US State Department on Monday ordered the mandatory departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their family members in Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait due to security concerns.

The State Department noted personnel in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait face an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran, as well as significant disruptions to commercial flights. The department also warns of a risk of terrorist attacks in Jordan and Bahrain, and it notes high risks of violence and kidnapping in Iraq.

The mandatory departure of non-emergency personnel from the three embassies is the first since the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran. They speak to the heightened lev...