Saudi Civil Defense Activates Early Warning System in Riyadh

The Saudi Civil Defense Directorate announced the activation of an early warning system in the capital, Riyadh, urging residents who received alert messages to remain calm and immediately comply with instructions from official authorities while avoiding any actions that could heighten panic.

The directorate ordered those inside buildings to move immediately to a safe room away from windows, emphasizing that buildings must not be evacuated under any circumstances during the alert period. Conversely, those in open areas were advised to enter the nearest available building, or to take shelter behind a protective barrier if that is not possible.

Shortly after the warning was issued, the directorate issued a second statement declaring the danger had passed and conditions had returned to normal, without disclosing additional details about the nature of the threat.

These alerts come in the context of repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi faction in Yemen on the Saudi capital and other areas of the kingdom, using ballistic missiles and unmanned aircraft.