The key facts

  • The emergency alert in Jazan was issued through the National Platform for Early Warning
  • The nature of the threat was not specified; it was later announced that the danger had passed
  • Residents were advised not to gather in groups, not to film what was happening, and to call 998 in emergencies

Alert and subsequent all-clear

On Friday, the Saudi Arabian authorities issued an emergency alert in Jazan — a southwestern province on the border with Yemen that overlooks the Red Sea coast. The notification was sent through the National Platform for Early Warning of Emergencies and warned of a danger without specifying its nature. In a subsequent notification, Civil Defense reported that the danger had passed, but urged residents to continue following its instructions, avoid crowds, and refrain from filming what was happening. In an emergency, residents were told to call 998.

Context

Jazan had previously been attacked by Yemen's Houthi movement: according to the publication, last month the group claimed missile and drone strikes on Saudi military facilities in the region. No connection between Friday's alert and these attacks was reported.