Saudi Arabia Lifts Makkah Security Alert After 10 Minutes
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense lifted an emergency security alert in the holy city of Makkah about 10 minutes after warning residents of potential danger on Saturday, October 24.
The alert was issued through the kingdom’s National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies, instructing residents to move to the nearest safe place and follow official safety guidelines.
Similar warnings were issued for Jeddah, Taif and Yanbu, placing four locations in western Saudi Arabia on alert before authorities announced that the danger had passed.
The brief warning came amid reports of ballistic missile interceptions elsewhere in the kingdom.
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, said air defence forces intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Taif and Yanbu.
The coalition did not identify Makkah as a target of the missiles, and authorities had not established a direct connection between the interceptions and the emergency alert in the holy city.
Saudi Arabia Lifts Makkah Security Alert After 10 Minutes
Earlier on Saturday, the coalition also announced the interception of a ballistic missile directed towards Riyadh and a drone in the Eastern Province.
During the alert, Civil Defense urged residents to remain calm, seek shelter inside buildings and stay away from windows, glass doors, balconies and rooftops until the danger had passed.
People outdoors were advised to enter the nearest building or take cover behind a solid barrier, while motorists were instructed to pull over away from bridges and high-rise buildings.
Authorities also warned against sharing images or information relating to operations to intercept missiles and drones, urging the public to rely on official communication channels for updates.
The incident highlights the importance of emergency warning systems in protecting residents and visitors amid regional security threats.
Makkah, home to the Grand Mosque, receives millions of Muslim worshippers annually for Hajj and Umrah, making timely security information particularly important for pilgrims and other visitors.
Saudi authorities advised the public to comply with Civil Defense instructions and use designated emergency numbers when reporting danger.
