Saudi Civil Defense Lifts Shelter Alerts After Houthi Projectile Hits Jazan

JAZAN, SAUDI ARABIA — The General Directorate of Civil Defense said that on September 12 a projectile launched by Houthi forces struck Al-Tuwal Governorate in the Jazan Region, wounding two people and damaging a mosque plus other buildings and vehicles.

The same evening, the National Early Warning Platform, the Civil Defense cell-broadcast system that pushes emergency text to phones on licensed mobile networks, issued potential-danger warnings for Abha City and Khamis Mushait Governorate in the Asir Region.

Civil Defense posted matching all-clear notices for both places about ten minutes later and told residents to keep following official instructions, avoid gatherings, and refrain from filming.

What Happened

• Civil Defense said on September 12 that a Houthi projectile fell in Al-Tuwal Governorate, Jazan Region, wounding two people and damaging a mosque, buildings, and vehicles.

• The National Early Warning Platform issued potential-danger warnings for Abha City and Khamis Mushait Governorate at about 6:00 PM UTC on September 12.

• Civil Defense posted all-clear notices for Abha and Khamis Mushait at about 6:10 PM UTC on September 12 and told residents to keep following instructions and avoid gathering or filming.

• The same platform issued potential-danger warnings for Taif Governorate late on September 11 and for Sharurah Governorate early on September 12, then posted all-clears for both.

• An official Energy Ministry source said the East-West Pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions was attacked on the morning of September 10, shut as a precaution, and produced injuries that received medical care.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said several drones launched from Iraq carried out that pipeline targeting, and that Saudi Arabia would not respond at this stage after a request from Iraq’s prime minister.

• Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told an emergency Security Council session on September 11 that Houthi attacks on civilian and economic sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran wounded 73 civilians, including women and children.

Locations Affected

• Al-Tuwal Governorate, Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia, 16.53, 42.97, projectile impact with two wounded and damage to a mosque, buildings, and vehicles, per Civil Defense on September 12.

• Abha City, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia, 18.22, 42.51, National Early Warning Platform potential-danger alert and all-clear on September 12.

• Khamis Mushait Governorate, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia, 18.31, 42.73, repeated potential-danger alerts on September 11 and 12, with all-clears the same periods.

• Taif Governorate, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia, 21.27, 40.42, potential-danger alert late on September 11 and all-clear the same night.

• Sharurah Governorate, Najran Region, Saudi Arabia, 17.47, 47.11, potential-danger alert early on September 12 and all-clear minutes later.

• East-West Pipeline corridor, Riyadh and Madinah regions, Saudi Arabia, attacks on September 10 and precautionary shutdown, per the Ministry of Energy. Exact pumping-station coordinates were not released.

Official Statements

• Official spokesman, General Directorate of Civil Defense, September 12: “On Saturday, corresponding to September 12, Civil Defense in Al-Tuwal Governorate in the Jazan Region responded to the fall of a projectile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia, which resulted in two injuries and material damage to a mosque and a number of buildings and vehicles. Targeting civilian objects is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, and the approved procedures in such cases were implemented.”

• General Directorate of Civil Defense, September 12: “Alert: The danger has passed in Abha City. For your safety, continue following Civil Defense instructions and avoid gathering and filming. In case of emergency, call (998).”

• General Directorate of Civil Defense, September 12: “A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Abha City to alert of a potential danger. Please follow the instructions below.”

• General Directorate of Civil Defense, public guidance card, September 12: “If you receive warning messages from the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies. Follow these instructions. Remain calm and follow official instructions. Immediately go to the nearest safe place inside a building or an interior room (away from windows) and stay there until the danger has passed. Do not leave the house or building until the danger has passed. Stay away from open areas and glass, and do not stand on balconies or rooftops. If you are outside, enter the nearest building or take shelter behind solid cover. Avoid gatherings and taking pictures at all costs, and stay away from dangerous locations. If you receive the warning message while in a vehicle, pull over to the side of the road away from bridges and tall buildings. If you notice a danger, call the emergency number (911) in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and (998) in the rest of the Kingdom. Follow the instructions issued by the competent authorities through official channels.”

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, September 12: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses in the strongest terms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the targeting of the East-West Pipeline in Riyadh and Madinah regions by several drones launched from Iraq, resulting in injuries and some damage that is currently being addressed. The Kingdom clarifies that, following a request from the prime minister of Iraq to give the brotherly Iraqi government the opportunity to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries, the Kingdom has opted not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens, and residents.”

• Official source, Ministry of Energy, September 11: “The East–West Pipeline in Riyadh and Madinah regions was subjected to multiple attacks on the morning of Thursday, September 10. The pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure. The attacks resulted in a number of injuries, and medical care was provided to those affected. Emergency and specialized technical teams responded immediately following the attacks, taking the necessary measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety in line with approved safety procedures and emergency response plans, in coordination with the relevant authorities. Any further developments will be announced in due course.”

• Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, September 11: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist and criminal attacks launched by the Houthi terrorist militia, which targeted civilian and economic objects in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, and resulted in the injury of 73 civilians, including women and children.”