First-ever attack alert in Mecca sparks panic in Saudi; Muslim groups condemn Houthis

For the first time ever in the history of the Islamic holy city, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued an emergency alert warning of a possible hostile aerial attack in Mecca.The alert advised residents to move indoors to safe locations and stay away from windows and doors until the danger had passed. Similar warnings were issued for Jeddah and Taif governorates.The alert was lifted within minutes, but it came as Saudi Arabia faces a widening security challenge from the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has intensified attacks on the kingdom while making territorial gains along Yemen’s strategically important Red Sea coast.The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned what it described as “heinous attacks” by the Houthis against Mecca and the Medina region, saying the attacks threatened civilians, violated the sanctity of holy sites and mosques, and provoked Muslims around the world.The OIC described attacks on holy sites, mosques and civilian infrastructure…