Saudi Arabia issues alerts over potential threats
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued brief warnings Thursday for Mecca and several other areas, citing a “potential danger” amid heightened tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The alerts covered Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest sites, as well as Yanbu on the Red Sea and the regions of Taif, Jeddah and Tabuk.
The warnings were lifted within minutes. Saudi Civil Defense later said the danger in Mecca had passed and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.
Coalition says missiles intercepted
The Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Saudi Arabia.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said air defenses had thwarted attempts to target Taif and Yanbu, adding that further escalations by the Houthis would be met with a firm response.
He did not immediately provide details on whether the interceptions caused casualties or damage.
Alerts follow recent escalation
Similar Saudi alerts in recent weeks have preceded attacks attributed to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
Riyadh said last week that the Houthis had targeted Mecca with a drone for the first time since 2017, but the group denied the accusation. Days later, Saudi authorities reported an attack on Riyadh, marking a renewed escalation after years of relative calm.
The Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2015.
The latest escalation has further drawn Yemen into the wider regional conflict, with growing concerns over attacks involving Saudi territory and strategic waterways.
Regional tensions remain high
The developments come as fighting and political tensions continue to affect major maritime routes in the region, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia is a major oil exporter and relies on regional waterways for international energy shipments, making disruptions to maritime security a significant concern for the kingdom and global energy markets.
Source:turkiyetoday
