Saudi Arabia issues emergency alerts in southwestern regions

Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense issued emergency alerts on Tuesday in Jazan, Najran and Abha in the country's southwest before announcing minutes later that the danger had passed.

The alerts were issued through the national early warning platform for emergencies, warning residents in the three areas of a potential threat.

The agency subsequently announced that the danger had passed in Jazan, Najran and Abha.

The statements did not specify the nature of the threat or provide details on any casualties or damage.

Earlier in the day, Yemen’s Houthi group confirmed carrying out large-scale missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia targeting Aramco facilities in Abha, Najran and Jizan, as well as Khamis Mushait Air Base.

The group said the operation was in response to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, claiming that Riyadh carried out 121 strikes over the past three days in Marib, Al-Bayda, Al-Hudaydah, Taiz and Al-Jawf provinces.

The announcement came after Saudi authorities said Houthi attacks on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran injured at least 73 civilians, including women and children.

The Saudi Energy Ministry also reported fires at energy facilities in the kingdom’s southern region, and said some operations at the targeted sites were temporarily halted.

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

Government forces have reported battlefield gains against the Houthis on several fronts recently, including in Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Taiz and Al-Hudaydah.