India, Sept. 16 -- Saudi Arabia on Tuesday issued a brief aerial threat alert in Mecca for the first time, along with warnings in Jeddah and Taif, as the kingdom faced a fresh wave of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen.

The alerts were later lifted after authorities said the danger had passed.

Unprecedented alert in Holy city

Saudi Civil Defence issued short-lived aerial threat warnings across several areas along the kingdom's western coast, including Mecca, Jeddah and Taif.

The Directorate of Saudi Civil Defence later said the danger in Mecca had passed and urged residents to continue following safety instructions.

"Alert: The danger has passed in Mecca City," the agency said in a post on X, while asking people to avoid...