Saudi Arabia issues brief security alerts for Mecca, Jeddah after week of strikes

Riyadh/Dubai: Saudi Arabia issued security alerts over a range of territory Tuesday, including in the holy city of Mecca and the second-largest city Jeddah, following a week of attacks from Iran-aligned fighters that have drawn it deeper into the West Asia war.The alerts were swiftly lifted and Saudi authorities did not immediately report whether any incoming projectiles had landed, nor was there any immediate claim of responsibility for attacks. But the alerts were the widest-ranging since an escalation in the conflict last week, and the alarm in Mecca was the first of the war in the city, which houses shrines sacred to all Muslims.The Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have announced a number of major attacks on Saudi Arabia over the past week, including strikes on an air base Monday they said were in retaliation for airstrikes on Yemen. Saudi Arabia has blamed a separate pro-Iranian movement, based in Iraq, for an attack Friday that knocked out one of the Kingdom's most important oil transport routes, the East-West Pipeline across the Arabian desert. A Saudi-led military coalition fighting against the Houthis in Yemen said 13 civilians had been wounded in Monday's attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia. Houthis launched a lightning advance along Yemen's western coast last week, culminating in the seizure of an island in the mouth of the Red Sea. The escalation has strengthened Iran's hand in the war and further jeopardised oil supplies.'US task force aiding Saudis with intel, planning support'A US military task force is working to enhance intelligence sharing and planning assistance for Saudi forces, a US official said, adding that the military command "maintains a strong security alliance with our Saudi Arabian partners in confronting regional challenges." reutersCatch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.