Since the Houthi declaration of a July blockade on Saudi shipping and an
escalation of fighting in Yemen, Saudi civil defense has issued repeated danger
alerts covering at least 11 cities and provinces: Riyadh, Ha'il, Mecca, Jeddah,
Taif, Khamis Mushait, Abha, Jizan, Al-Ula, Yanbu and Sharurah. At least eight
locations have received multiple warnings; since Sept. 9 authorities have issued
at least 24 location-specific alerts. Abha and Khamis Mushait have each been
warned at least four times; Taif at least three; Jeddah, Al-Ula, Yanbu, Riyadh
and Ha'il at least twice. A Houthi military spokesman said the group will
continue strikes in response to Saudi air raids and denied targeting civilians
or attacking Mecca. Houthi strikes have hit cities, military bases and energy
infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. This month’s first large wave of attacks
injured 73 civilians; subsequent strikes on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif
injured a further 13. Debris from an intercepted drone in Taif killed one Yemeni
resident. The Saudi-led coalition said it will respond firmly to missile and
Drone attacks and act to protect Saudi sovereignty.
