The Saudi Civil Defence Agency broadcast a ‘potential danger’ alert for Mecca, Jeddah, Taif and Yanbu on Saturday, only to cancel it minutes later.
The brief warning came amid a surge of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, with the group targeting oil facilities and airports in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, a Houthi strike on Riyadh airport killed 13 civilians and wounded dozens, underscoring the heightened threat.
The agency also issued a legal caution against sharing images or data related to missile and drone countermeasures, a move that stoked debate over information flow during crises.
Local residents, like Ahmed Al‑Sadi, said the sudden alert left them scrambling for shelter, while officials noted the brief pause may have been a test of emergency communication protocols.
The next step will be a review of the civil defence alert system and potential tightening of information controls, as the kingdom braces for further Houthi aggression.