Saudi Arabia issued an emergency alert in Mecca on Tuesday and asked the residents of the city to be aware of a "potential danger." This is the first time such an alert has been issued in this holy city, as the Houthis from Yemen have recently increased their attacks towards the country.
Details of the Emergency Alert
The national early warning platform for emergencies issued this alert and did not provide further details about the nature of the threat. Residents are especially advised to stay away from crowded and open places and to seek shelter in enclosed areas.
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After the alert was issued, the Saudi Civil Defense announced that the danger had passed, but urged residents to continue avoiding gatherings and refrain from filming or taking pictures.
Houthi Attacks and Reactions
This alert was issued simultaneously with repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. According to Colonel Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition, at least 13 civilians were injured in a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks on the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif on Monday.
Al-Maliki described these attacks as "criminal and deliberate" in a statement released on Tuesday, emphasizing that the coalition would respond to protect Saudi sovereignty and would take "all necessary practical measures to prevent this escalation."
Last week, the Houthis launched a missile and drone barrage against Saudi Arabia targeting the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. These attacks resulted in at least 73 injuries and temporarily halted operations at some energy facilities.
The Iran-backed Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of conducting airstrikes and firing cruise missiles towards Yemen, while clashes continue between Houthi forces and Saudi-aligned government forces in southern and western Yemen.
In recent days, the Houthis have made significant advances along the western shores of the Red Sea in Yemen, capturing the large and small Hanish islands, which are located about 100 miles north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Monday.
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