RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued a series of early warning alerts on Saturday for residents of Yanbu Governorate and Jazan Province, urging the public to remain cautious over what officials described only as a “potential danger.” The alerts were later withdrawn after authorities confirmed the situation had been resolved.
According to the Civil Defense, the National Early Warning Platform sent three separate alerts to residents in Yanbu, located along the Red Sea coast. Officials did not disclose the exact nature of the threat but advised residents to follow official instructions until further notice.
A short time later, authorities announced that the risk in Yanbu had passed. Similar alerts were subsequently issued for Jazan Province in southwestern Saudi Arabia before officials confirmed that the area was also safe.
No casualties, injuries or property damage were reported following the alerts.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for launching attacks targeting what it described as sensitive Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu and Jazan. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the operations involved dozens of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
The group said the strikes were carried out in retaliation for Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on Yemen’s western Al-Hudaydah Province, which it alleged took place on Friday evening.
The Houthis also reiterated their intention to continue what they called a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, linking the move to the Kingdom’s military operations and the long-running conflict in Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition said it had launched a proportionate response against legitimate Houthi military targets in Hodeidah, following attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Coalition officials stressed that Hodeidah Port was not targeted and that Yemeni ports remain open to international maritime traffic.
Regional tensions have intensified in recent days after the Houthis announced restrictions on Saudi-linked shipping through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to strengthen measures aimed at protecting commercial vessels transiting one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
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