Saudi Arabia on alert as Houthi attacks intensify across seven cities

Security tensions have escalated across Saudi Arabia as Houthi militants intensify their assault on the kingdom. Authorities have activated security protocols in seven cities, including the holy city of Mecca, the coastal hub of Jeddah, and the industrial port city of Yanbu, according to regional security assessments.

Yanbu has emerged as a particularly vulnerable target for the Houthi attacks, given its strategic importance as a petrochemical and oil export center. The port city has experienced repeated militant operations in recent months, prompting heightened vigilance among security forces.

In a recent incident, Houthi forces attempted a drone strike near Mecca, demonstrating the breadth of their operational reach across the country. The attack underscores the vulnerability of even the kingdom's most sacred areas to militant threats.

The escalation marks another cycle of heightened tensions between the Saudi government and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement based in Yemen. The group has maintained a sustained campaign of aerial assaults targeting civilian and strategic infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, drawing international concern over regional stability and global energy security.