Warning sounded in Mecca as missiles fired amid Saudi-Houthi conflict

Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts on Tuesday warning of a "potential danger" in the holy city of Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif even as reports emerged of missiles being fired on the western coast by Iran-backed Houthi militia. A day earlier, the Yemen-based Houthis fired missiles at Saudi air bases and cities.

The alert, sounded by Saudi Arabia's The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense, at 2.48pm (IST) urged residents to seek shelter and follow official safety instructions.

Records suggest this to be the first time in recent history that an emergency alert for aerial hostile conditions was sounded for Mecca, which houses Islam's one of the two holiest shrines.

After around three hours, the Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense posted on X: "The danger has passed in Mecca City. For your safety, continue following Civil Defense instructions and avoid gathering and filming. In case of emergency, call (911)."

According to the Israeli newspaper Hayom, Houthis launched missile barrage toward Saudi Arabia's western coast, triggering the alerts.

The brief alert on Tuesday involving the holy city raised fresh concerns over the widening reach of the conflict.

The Early Warning Platform for Emergencies warned of a "potential danger" in Mecca, while similar alerts were issued in the Jeddah and Taif governorates. Saudi Civil Defense urged residents to stay away from crowded and open areas and seek immediate shelter indoors, without specifying what prompted the alerts.

The warnings came a day after Yemen-based Houthis launched a series of ballistic missiles and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, injuring 13 people in the kingdom's south. The Mecca alert was later lifted after the Civil Defense said the danger had passed, but residents were still urged to avoid gatherings and refrain from filming or photographing the situation.

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