Mecca Warned Of Potential Threat Amid Escalating Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Civil Defence issued warnings for potential threats in several regions of Saudi Arabia, including Mecca city, home to Islam's holiest sites. The alerts were lifted minutes later.

The warnings followed a recent escalation of attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis against the kingdom. Last week, Riyadh accused the group of targeting Mecca with a drone that was downed, an accusation the Houthis have denied.

The Houthis have ramped up their attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, embroiling Yemen in the Middle East conflict. The group seized control of strategic coastal areas overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb strait earlier this month, vital for Saudi oil exports.