Mecca receives first-ever live emergency missile and drone warning

Mecca, the holiest site for nearly 2 billion Muslims, received its first-ever live emergency missile & drone warning

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence on Tuesday issued brief alerts warning of potential danger in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif amid an escalation in attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. The alert for Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest site, was the first such warning during the latest escalation, but authorities said the danger had cleared minutes later.

The alerts came a day after ballistic missiles and drones launched from Yemen injured 13 people in southern Saudi Arabia, according to AFP. 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)."