Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Sep 24: Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defense on Thursday issued emergency alerts warning of potential danger in several parts of the kingdom, including the holy city of Mecca, Tabuk, Jeddah and Yanbu.
The alerts were issued through the National Early Warning Platform, with residents urged to remain calm, follow official instructions and move immediately to the nearest safe place. Authorities advised people to stay inside buildings, preferably in interior rooms away from windows, and remain there until the danger had passed.
The Civil Defense later announced that the danger had passed in the affected areas. The nature of the potential danger was not immediately specified in the alert.
Residents were instructed not to leave their homes or buildings while the warning remained in effect and to stay away from open areas, windows, glass, balconies and rooftops. Authorities also advised people to avoid crowds and potentially dangerous locations.
Those who were outdoors were told to enter the nearest building or seek shelter behind a solid barrier. Drivers receiving an alert were advised to pull over safely away from bridges and high-rise buildings.
The Civil Defense also urged people not to photograph or approach dangerous locations and to rely only on instructions issued through official channels.
For emergencies, residents were reminded to call 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while 998 remains the emergency number in other parts of the kingdom.
The latest alerts come amid heightened security concerns in Saudi Arabia following a recent escalation involving Yemen's Houthi movement. Saudi authorities have issued several emergency warnings in recent days after missile and drone attacks and attempted attacks targeting parts of the kingdom. Reuters reported that Thursday's alerts were the first issued by Saudi authorities that day.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting Houthi drones and missiles aimed at targets in the kingdom. On September 19, Saudi authorities said a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh had been intercepted, while Houthi attacks were also reported or claimed around other parts of the country.
Saudi Civil Defense has repeatedly urged residents to follow official safety instructions as tensions have increased. Separate weather warnings are also currently in effect across several Saudi regions, including parts of the Makkah region, although these are issued through the National Center for Meteorology's weather-warning system and are distinct from the National Early Warning Platform alerts concerning potential danger.