Denmark has warned its citizens in the Middle East to exercise vigilance following outrage over the publication of a caricature depicting the prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper.
The 12 drawings - published in a Danish paper in September and in a Norwegian paper this month - included an image of the prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet, even respectful ones, out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.
Denmark-based Arla Foods, which has been the target of a widespread boycott in the Middle East, reported that two of its employees in Saudi Arabia were beaten by angry customers. Aid groups, meanwhile, pulled workers out of Gaza, citing the threat of hostilities.
Danish government officials have expressed regret over the furor but have refused to get involved, citing freedom of expression. The Jyllands-Postennewspaper has refused to apologize for publishing the drawings and has said it did not mean to insult Islam.
The Danish Red Cross said it was evacuating two employees from Gaza and one from Yemen.
"There have been concrete threats against our employees. The fact that they are Danish nationals has made the difference," Danish Red Cross spokesman Anders Ladekarl said.
The Norwegian People's Aid group also said it was withdrawing its two Norwegian representatives in Gaza but that operations would be maintained by local staff.