First emergency alert issued for missile attack in Mecca:People urged to stay away from tall buildings after Houthi attack

Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Following the attacks, Saudi Arabia issued an emergency alert in Mecca for the first time. According to Saudi Civil Defense, the National Early Warning Platform issued the alert. People were urged to stay away from tall buildings. A short while later, Civil Defense said the threat had passed. However, people were urged to stay away from crowds and not record videos or take photos of any incident. Similar emergency alerts were issued in Jeddah and Taif on Tuesday morning. These were also withdrawn after some time. Earlier, on July 27, 2017, Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile towards Mecca. However, the missile was intercepted and destroyed over the Al-Wasiliya area of Taif, around 69 km from Mecca. People urged to avoid going to open areas In the alerts issued in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif, people were advised to avoid crowded and open areas. They were urged to remain calm and immediately move to a safe place in case of any danger. People were advised to stay indoors and keep away from windows, balconies, rooftops, glass and open spaces. Anyone outside was advised to immediately enter a nearby building or take cover behind a sturdy object and remain there until the danger had passed. 13 people were injured in Houthi attacks The emergency alerts were issued amid continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. On Monday, the Houthis fired several missiles and drones towards the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif. According to Colonel Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition, at least 13 civilians were injured in the attacks. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Al-Malki described the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi civilians as deliberate attacks. Last week, the Houthis also carried out a large number of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran were targeted. At least 73 people were injured in the attacks. Some energy facilities in Saudi Arabia also had to suspend operations for some time following the attacks. Tensions rise amid fighting in Yemen The Iran-aligned Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes and launching cruise missiles in Yemen. Heavy fighting is underway between Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed government forces in southern and western Yemen. Meanwhile, the Houthis have rapidly expanded their control along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast. On Monday, they also seized two more islands in the area, Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish. The two islands are located around 160 km north of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. More than 500 government fighters killed in Yemen More than 500 government-backed fighters have been killed in the past four weeks in fighting against the Houthis in Yemen. The National Resistance Forces, which fights in support of the government, made the claim. According to the group, more than 1,000 Houthi fighters were also killed in Hodeidah and Taiz provinces during the same period. However, the Houthis have not responded to these figures. Meanwhile, the Yemeni government has decided to send more troops to the Red Sea coast. A government official acknowledged last week’s defeat and said government forces would return to the area. Pakistan refuses to help Saudi Arabia The Houthi attacks and their rapidly expanding control have increased Saudi Arabia’s difficulties. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, Saudi Arabia is now reaching out to its allies for help. The report said Pakistan has clearly refused to help Saudi Arabia. Pakistan said its forces could be deployed to defend Saudi territory, but they would not take part in a war on the territory of another country. ​