Mecca was issued an emergency alert on Tuesday warning of a “potential danger,” the first such alert in the holy city since Yemen’s Houthi rebels allegedly began attacking Saudi Arabia in recent days.
The alert was issued by the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies, according to the Saudi Civil Defense, which did not specify what the danger was.
Residents were urged to stay away from crowded and open areas and to seek shelter indoors immediately.
The Civil Defense later said the danger had passed, but called on residents to continue avoiding gatherings and to refrain from filming or taking photos.
The emergency warnings came amid alleged Houthi attacks against the kingdom. On Monday, at least 13 civilians were injured in a series of missiles and drones allegedly fired by the Houthis toward the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushayt, Abha and Taif, according to Col. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition.
A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in the Jeddah Governorate to alert of a potential danger. Please follow the instructions below: pic.twitter.com/Iz98UOKXb4
— الدفاع المدني السعودي (@SaudiDCD) September 15, 2026
In a statement released Tuesday, Maliki condemned the Houthis’ “heinous and deliberate attacks” on civilians in Saudi Arabia. He said the coalition would respond “firmly to protect the sovereignty of the kingdom” and would take “all necessary operational measures to deter” the escalation.
Last week, the Houthis allegedly launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, targeting the southern cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. The attacks injured at least 73 people and led to the temporary suspension of operations at some energy facilities.
The Iranian-backed Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes and firing cruise missiles in Yemen, amid heavy fighting between Houthi fighters and Saudi-aligned government forces in southern and western Yemen.
