Saudi Arabia issued an air raid alert in Mecca on Tuesday as tensions rose following a series of missile and drone attacks linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The alert was significant as it was reportedly the first time an air raid warning had been issued for the holy city. Warnings were also activated in parts of Saudi Arabia’s western region, including Jeddah and Taif, but were lifted soon after.
Saudi authorities said the immediate threat had passed and asked residents to continue following Civil Defence instructions. People were also advised to avoid large gatherings and not record or share footage of security operations.
The heightened alert came amid several attacks attributed to the Iran-backed Houthis in recent days. According to reports, air traffic heading towards Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina was also temporarily halted as security concerns increased.
The escalation follows a reported Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia a day earlier that left 13 people injured. The rebels have also claimed responsibility for a wider assault involving ballistic missiles and drones aimed at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia.
Houthis Deny Targeting Mecca
The Houthi side has rejected Saudi-led coalition claims that the holy city itself was targeted.
Houthi political bureau member Hezam Al-Assad dismissed the allegation, saying reports that the group had deliberately targeted Mecca were false.
The latest developments come as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has intensified in Yemen. The conflict has also raised fresh concerns over security around the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important maritime route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Qatar has warned that any disruption or closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could have wider global consequences because of its importance to international shipping and energy supplies.
Meanwhile, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and Saudi forces have also carried out strikes against targets near Taiz in Yemen, adding to concerns that the latest escalation could widen further.
