As fighting intensified in Yemen, Saudi Arabia ended the "potential danger" alert issued for Sharurah, Taif and Khamis Mushait in the country’s south and southwest.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense authority asked residents to continue following safety instructions despite the lifting of the alert. The authority also urged people not to gather in large groups or film the areas where incidents had occurred.
Alerts followed attacks on an oil pipeline
The East-West oil pipeline, which runs through the Riyadh and Medina regions, was targeted in attacks. Authorities said some people were injured in the incidents and that the pipeline was temporarily shut down as a precaution.
An official from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said the pipeline had been targeted several times on Thursday morning. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the attack was carried out using several drones launched from Iraq, adding that people were injured and property damage occurred.
Early warning notices issued on Thursday also warned of potential danger in the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait. Residents were asked to follow official instructions, move to a safe place, stay away from windows and remain indoors until the danger had passed.
Fighting intensified on several fronts in Yemen
Clashes between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis intensified on several fronts, particularly in the governorates of Taiz, Al-Jawf and Al-Bayda. Airstrikes targeting Houthi positions also continued in areas where fighting was ongoing.
The Houthis announced that they had taken control of strategic areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and advanced in the districts of Hays and Al-Khawkhah in western Hudaydah governorate.
The conflict in Yemen has continued since the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and several governorates in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
