Residents, visitors and pilgrims in Makkah Al Mukarramah were briefly told to shelter indoors on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia issued an emergency warning over a hostile aerial threat.
BPI News has seen the National Warning Alerts message sent to mobile phones in the Holy City.
The alert warned that the area was under a “hostile aerial threat” and instructed people to remain calm, stay indoors or move to a safe place away from windows and doors.
People were also advised to continue following instructions issued by Saudi Civil Defence.
The warning was later lifted.
BPI News Speaks To Umrah Pilgrims In Makkah
BPI News has spoken to people currently in Makkah performing Umrah following the alert.
One pilgrim said that despite receiving the warning, he never felt unsafe while in the Holy City.
He told BPI News: “At no point did I feel unsafe. How could I feel scared when I am in the House of Allah?”
The pilgrim also thanked the Saudi government for the security and arrangements provided during his pilgrimage.
He said he remained comfortable throughout the incident and continued to have confidence in the measures being taken by Saudi authorities.
Alert Sent Directly To Mobile Phones
The warning was issued in both Arabic and English through Saudi Arabia’s National Warning system.
The English message stated:
“Warning. The area is under a hostile aerial threat.
“Please remain calm, stay indoors or in a safe place away from windows and doors, and follow the instructions of Civil Defense.”
The system allows emergency warnings to be sent directly to mobile phones in areas where authorities believe there may be an immediate danger.
Makkah Warning Later Lifted
The alert was temporary and was subsequently lifted by Saudi authorities.
Similar brief warnings were also issued in Jeddah and Taif.
The warning was particularly significant because it was the first such aerial-threat alert reported in the Holy City during the current regional conflict.
Comes Amid Attacks From Yemen
The warnings came amid heightened security concerns across Saudi Arabia following a series of missile and drone attacks launched from Yemen.
A day earlier, attacks in southern Saudi Arabia left 13 people injured.
The developments prompted heightened security measures in several parts of the Kingdom as authorities monitored the possibility of further aerial threats.
Saudi Civil Defence later confirmed that the brief warnings affecting Makkah, Jeddah and Taif had ended.
