Saudi issues alerts over attack threats in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif

RIYADH, Sept 15: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday issued brief alerts over possible attacks in the holy city of Makkah and in the Jeddah and Taif governorates, after the kingdom was repeatedly targeted by the Iran-backed Houthis in recent days.

The alerts, including the first one issued in Makkah since the Middle East war began, were quickly lifted, according to the Saudi civil defence. 

They came a day after a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks launched from Yemen, which injured 13 people in the kingdom's south.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have accused Saudi Arabia of launching dozens of air attacks across Yemen, after the Saudi-led coalition promised to respond “firmly” to missile and drone attacks by the Iran-aligned group that wounded 13 civilians across three cities in the kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said early on Tuesday that Houthi attacks on KhamisMushait, Abha and Taif caused minor to moderate injuries, damaging seven homes and two vehicles.

“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will deal with these attacks responsibly and firmly to protect the sovereignty of the kingdom,” said coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that hostilities in Yemen have displaced at least 18,000 households �" or 125,000 people �" since the start of the month.

In a statement, the UN adds that the fighting is forcing people to flee their homes, driving civilian casualties, and putting already stretched humanitarian operations under growing pressure.

Later on Tuesday, the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (supporters of God), said Saudi Arabia launched 54 air raids across the governorates of Lahj, Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib and Hajjah in the past 24 hours.
The group said Saudi air strikes hit the government complex in Khadir district, Taiz governorate, causing injuries.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets operating from Saudi airbases in KhamisMushait and Taif were used in the strikes and threatened retaliation.�" AGENCIES