Saudi Civil Defence Issues Brief Alerts for Mecca City Amid Houthi Escalation

Saudi Civil Defence issued brief alerts for potential danger in several regions of Saudi Arabia, including Mecca city. The warnings were lifted minutes later but have raised concerns about a possible missile or drone threat.

The alerts came after recent attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on the kingdom. Last week, Riyadh accused the group of targeting Mecca for the first time since 2017 with a downed drone, an accusation the Houthis denied.

The Houthis have been escalating their attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, including hitting its tankers and territory. The group has also seized control of strategic coastal areas overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, vital for Saudi oil exports.