Airstrike warning issued in holy city of Mecca; first in history, withdrawn in hours 

MECCA: Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense issued an airstrike warning in the areas of Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif against the backdrop of Houthi attacks. This is the first time in history that such a warning has been issued in Mecca. The authorities aid the warning was issued following a series of attacks on the country by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in recent days.

Thirteen people were injured in Saudi Arabia in an attack launched from Yemen the previous day using ballistic missiles and drones. The warning was issued following the incident. Although the alert was initially given, it was withdrawn within a few hours. The Saudi Civil Defense Directorate later stated on its X page that the city of Mecca was safe.

Alert: The danger has passed in Mecca City. For your safety, continue following #CivilDefense instructions and avoid gathering and filming. In case of emergency, call (911).

Alert: The danger has passed in Mecca City. For your safety, continue following #CivilDefense instructions and avoid gathering and filming. In case of emergency, call (911). https://t.co/bjRMKf7vr6

— الدفاع المدني السعودي (@SaudiDCD) September 15, 2026

Meantime, Hashem al-Asad, a member of the Houthi Political Bureau, rejected a report by the Saudi military claiming that it had shot down a drone belonging to the rebels that was heading toward Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. Hashem al-Asad wrote on X that the claim that Mecca had been targeted was an old lie that had been used before.