Saudi Civil Defence Issues Warning in Mecca Amid Escalating Conflict with Houthis

The Saudi Civil Defence issued a warning of 'potential danger' for Mecca city on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The alert was part of a series of warnings that usually indicate a missile or drone threat. The National Early Warning Platform in Mecca City alerted authorities to a potential danger.

These warnings often precede attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who have been at war with the Saudi-led coalition since 2015. In recent weeks, the group has ramped up its attacks against the kingdom, including an accusation that they targeted Mecca with a drone last week. The Houthis denied this claim.

The conflict has escalated in recent days, with the Houthis seizing control of strategic coastal areas overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, vital for Saudi oil exports. This move has cemented the hold of Iran and its allies on the waterways that top crude exporter Saudi Arabia relies on to ship out its oil.