Saudi Civil Defence Says Danger Has Passed In Khamis Mushait

(MENAFN- Jordan Times) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Civil Defence said Tuesday that the danger had passed in Khamis Mushait after issuing its fourth emergency alert for the southwestern city in 24 hours.

The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defence said residents should continue following safety instructions and avoid gatherings and taking photographs at the scene.

“The danger has been lifted from Khamis Mushait Governorate,” the directorate said in a statement cited by Arab News.“For your safety, continue to follow the instructions of the Civil Defense and completely avoid gatherings and photography.”

It urged residents to call 998 in case of an emergency.

The alerts came after Yemen's Houthi group said Tuesday that it had attacked an air base in the area, according to Arab News.

Houthi attacks on southern Saudi Arabia have injured 73 civilians, including women and children, according to Maj. Gen. Turki Al Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen.

Al Maliki said the attacks targeted civilian and economic sites in the cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. He described the escalation as“dangerous” and said it reflected what he called the Houthis'“hostile and irresponsible” approach.

He added that coalition forces would take“all necessary operational measures” to deter the Houthis and counter further attacks.

On Wednesday the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said the rebels fired ballistic missiles and drones at several cities in southern Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis are seeking to advance towards coastal areas of the Red Sea that border the strategic Bab Al Mandab Strait, a key shipping lane, AFP reported.

The waterway, which links Asia to Europe via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, has gained importance as a transit route since the start of the wider Middle East war, which saw Iran blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

Since last week, the fighting in Yemen has left more than 500 dead, mostly combatants, according to an AFP tally compiled from several sources.

The country relapsed into war in July after years of calm, drawn into the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February.

The Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday condemned the attacks as a“heinous act of aggression” against civilian and economic targets and directed authorities to provide the highest level of medical care to those injured.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also condemned the attacks, saying the Kingdom would not tolerate assaults on its territory or resources and reserved the right to take measures to defend its sovereignty.

The United Nations condemned the cross-border attacks. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the attacks had affected civilian and energy infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia and expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties.

The European Union also called on the Houthis to“end all attacks” following the strikes on Saudi Arabia.

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