Saudi Arabia Activates Brief Security Warnings in Yanbu and Jazan Amid Houthi Tensions
- 2 days ago
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RIYADH, July 25, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — Saudi authorities briefly activated security warnings in Yanbu and Jazan early Saturday amid growing tensions with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
The Saudi Civil Defense warned of a “potential danger” in the two Red Sea provinces and instructed residents to seek shelter.
The alerts were withdrawn shortly afterwards, with authorities announcing that “the danger has passed.”
Officials did not disclose the nature or source of the potential threat.
Yanbu is home to a major Red Sea port capable of handling millions of barrels of oil per day, while Jazan, near the border with Yemen, hosts a large oil refinery.
Satellite imagery from NASA’s fire-detection system indicated fires east of the Jazan refinery early Saturday. The cause remained unclear.
The Houthis said their armed forces would announce “qualitative and extensive military operations” later on Saturday.
The warnings followed Saudi strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah after a Saudi-owned vessel was attacked in the Red Sea on Friday.
Saudi Arabia’s Coalition Joint Forces Command described the strikes as a “proportionate military response” and warned that further Houthi attacks would be met “without leniency.”
The Houthis’ political bureau called the Saudi operation a dangerous escalation and accused the Kingdom of targeting vital infrastructure and civilian livelihoods in Yemen.
